IBBC is delighted to share a proud moment for the Sardar Group. Mr Sardar Al Bebany, Chairman & CEO of Sardar Group and President of Toyota Iraq, and a member of IBBC’s Advisory committee, has been honoured with the Certificate of Commendation from the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to strengthening Japan–Iraq relations.
This is the second time Mr. Sardar has received this prestigious recognition — the first was in 2022, awarded by the Ambassador of Japan to Iraq, Mr Suzuki Kotaro , and now presented on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan by the Ambassador of Japan to Iraq, Mr. Akira Endo.

The honour reflects his continued efforts to foster international partnerships, mutual understanding, and long-term cooperation across borders

This honour is part of Japan’s annual global commendation program, which this year recognized 173 individuals and 58 organizations worldwide. ’ The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan has awarded the Certificate of Commendation from H.E. the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, in recognition of Mr Bebanys contributions to strengthening friendship, mutual understanding, and cooperation between Iraq and Japan in both the economic and cultural fields. Mr Bebany is on the IBBC Executive Committee and has been a very active supporter for many years.

During the ceremony, H.E. Ambassador Akira Endo expressed his deep admiration for Mr. Al Bebany’s achievements, stating:

“It is a great honour to present this Certificate of Commendation on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan to Mr. Sardar Al Bebany in recognition of his exceptional contributions to promoting friendship and mutual understanding between Japan and Iraq. The presence of so many distinguished guests here today at our Embassy is itself a reflection of Mr. Sardar’s remarkable accomplishments over the years.”

Ambassador Endo continued:

“Mr Sardar’s success extends far beyond the business field. His long-standing dedication to empowering Iraqi talent, training managers and technicians in cooperation with the United Nations and other international organizations, and his adoption of Japanese business philosophy and values have made a lasting impact. Moreover, his initiative to introduce and plant Sakura (cherry blossom) trees across Iraq has brought a symbol of Japanese culture and friendship to the Iraqi people.”

“Through humanitarian and development projects such as the Japanese Village in Nineveh, Mr Sardar has actively supported the reconstruction of liberated areas and the promotion of sustainable urban development in collaboration with the Iraqi government and the United Nations.”

Ambassador Endo concluded his remarks by saying:

“Mr Sardar truly embodies the spirit of cooperation between Iraq and Japan. He is a man who combines Japanese values of humility, teamwork, and sincerity with the strong sense of community and family that defines Iraqi culture. He is a model of dedication and integrity.”

In his speech, Mr Sardar Al Bebany expressed his heartfelt gratitude for this honour, stating:

“Building sustainable relations between nations is founded on dialogue, trust, and cooperation. Iraq has enormous potential to serve as a bridge connecting the Middle East and Asia. Initiatives like this open the door to strategic partnerships that drive mutual development and progress.”

“I would like to express my deepest appreciation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, to His Excellency the Ambassador, and to the people of Japan for this great honour. I reaffirm my commitment to continue working tirelessly to enhance our cooperation, create new opportunities for growth, and strengthen the bonds of friendship between our two countries.

Finally, I dedicate this recognition to Iraq — my homeland — which continues its journey of rebuilding and development. I believe that through our joint efforts with Japan and other partners, we can achieve a brighter future for our people.”.

Baroness Nicholson, IBBC president says ‘Mr Bebany is one the most talented and generous businessmen in Iraq, and he is a beacon of best practice and care for both his employees and customers alike. Which is why he richly deserves this award, again! and Mr Bebany is someone to whom we all at IBBC can look to for inspiration and leadership and even more future success.’