Michael Lee Chin - file

A lifetime achievement award was bestowed on Michael Lee Chin, chairman of Portland Holdings Inc, by the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) at the prestigious Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Canada, on May 2. The annual CYBF Chairman's Awards Gala provides entrepreneurs with royal treatment, complete with a red-carpet entrance and networking opportunities with top business leaders, such as Clive Beddoe, executive chairman and co-founder of WestJet Airlines Ltd.

Six young entrepreneurs received awards for their determination and success while one, Colin Davison, was doubly honoured, winning the 2008 Best Business Award. The Canadian Youth Business Foundation provides start-up financing, mentoring and online business resources to entrepreneurs between the age of 18 and 34, as well as recognition at the organisation's annual awards.

Philanthropic pursuits

NCB Foundation chair, Thalia Lyn, commended the NCB chairman for receiving the CYBF achievement award, noting that, in Jamaica, Michael Lee Chin's philanthropic pursuits include the foundation's Jamaica Education Initiative (JEI), which has earmarked over $200 million and contributed $99 million to Jamaican education projects for the past five years. Lyn continued, "In addition, several hundred millions have been donated by the NCB Foundation to the Technology Innovation Centre at UTech and for flood and hurricane relief."