Six political, legal and business leaders who have made significant contributions to Singapore were honoured at a National Day awards ceremony at the Istana on Friday.

At the ceremony, President Tony Tan Keng Yam presented the Honorary Citizen Award to Mr Hiromasa Yonekura, chairman of Japanese giant Sumitomo Chemical.

The award is the highest recognition for prominent foreigners who have contributed or provided extensive and valuable services to Singapore.

Mr Yonekura was honoured for his contributions to the growth of the chemicals industry here.

The President also gave out National Day awards to five other recipients for their substantial contributions to Singapore's economy.

Three of the recipients were given the Public Service Star (Distinguished Friends of Singapore): Mr Steven J. Green, Singapore's Honorary Consul-General in Miami and former United States Ambassador to Singapore; Dr Franz Humer, chairman of F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Diageo and Insead; and Mr Robert A. McDonald, retired chairman, president and chief executive of Proctor & Gamble.

Two Public Service Medals (Friends of Singapore) were presented to Mr Jean-Luc Butel, corporate vice-president and president of International Baxter Inc, and Dr Michael Pryles, former chairman of the board and founder president of the Court of Arbitration, and president of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre.