MANILA: September 6, 2017—47 awardees were unveiled by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), led by its current Chair Joey Concepcion, in the grandest celebration yet in its 10th year history at the Solaire Grand Casino and Resort. The finalists will also be given the chance to become scholars in the ASEAN Global Leadership Program next year.
“Today, we honor top entrepreneurs—many of whom started small. And today, we honor legacy awardees, many of whom we have all looked up to. For every awardee, this recognition must be put into good use. I call on the awardees today to embrace the micro and small entrepreneurs into your value chains.” said Chair Concepcion as he opened the awarding ceremony. Concepcion also emphasized the value of mentorship and inclusive business models in championing prosperity for all across the region.
The guests made up a virtual Forbes list of Asian business leaders as well as the most interesting women, youth, and innovative entrepreneurs. A good number of government officials and members of the diplomatic corps were in attendance, along with the ASEAN Economic Ministers led by Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez who will be honored by the Council.
The Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte graced the event and gave a speech urging the ASEAN nations and business leaders to embrace MSMEs. “The ASEAN Business Advisory Council has been instrumental in realizing our common aspiration of serving the growth of our people. I call on entrepreneurs to follow their examples to become beacons of innovation for poverty eradication and economic development. We also challenge those who have achieved success to embrace the MSMEs.”
A total of 518 delegates, some flying in from across Asia and beyond, attended to witness the biggest awarding ceremony in ASEAN. Among the business greats who attended were Legacy Awardees John Gokongwei (JG Summit) from the Philippines, Singapore’s Wee Cho Yaw (United Overseas Bank), and Malaysia’s Goh Peng Ooi (Silverlake Axis); Inclusive Business Winner Teodoro Ferrer (Erikagen Inc.) from the Philippines, Priority Integration Sector in Tourism Winner Tony Fernandes (Air Asia) from Malaysia, Young Entrepreneur of the Year Dennis Uy (Chelsea Logistics Philippines), and ASEAN-BAC Philippines Members George Barcelon (Philippine Chamber of Commerce Chair) and Teresita Sy-Coson (SM Investments Corporation Philippines).
The ASEAN Business Awards has consistently brought the spotlight to the promising and outstanding ASEAN companies that have the potential of becoming global economic players. Attended yearly by the top business players in the region and beyond, the awards continue to propagate progress and business leadership.
LIST OF ABA 2017 AWARDEES:
SME EXCELLENCE AWARDS WINNERS
GROWTH: Kunna Groceries Co. Ltd. with Nasha Jungkankul (THAILAND);
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: Lamoiyan Corporation with Cecilio Pedro (PHILIPPINES)
EMPLOYMENT: Zico Holdings Inc. with Dato Jasudasen Thambynathan (SINGAPORE);
INNOVATION: FAME Pharmaceuticals Industry Company Limited with Dr. Khin Maung Lwin (MYANMAR);
YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR AWARD WINNER
Dennis Uy of Udenna Corporation (PHILIPPINES)
WOMEN ENTREPRENEUR AWARD WINNER
Sirina Sisombat-Hervy of Sinouk Coffee (LAO PDR)
INCLUSIVE BUSINESS AWARD WINNER
Teodoro Ferrer of Erikagen Inc. (PHILIPPINES)
FRIENDS OF ASEAN WINNERS
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. – Philippine Branch, with Anna Green (AUSTRALIA);
Prudential Corporation Asia, with Nicolaos Nicolandrou (HONG KONG); and
Robert Bosch (SEA) Pte Ltd., with Martin Hayes (GERMANY).
GREEN TECHNOLOGY AWARD WINNER
Imperial Homes Corporation, Emma Imperial (PHILIPPINES)
MOST PROMISING AWARD WINNERS
Printmartz Advertising, Adrian Tan Vui Shung (BRUNEI);
Wing Ltd. Specialised Bank, Jojo Malolos (CAMBODIA);
Phouvong Jewelry, Phouvong Phamisith (LAOS);
Myanmar ComBiz Trading Co., Aung Soe Tha (MYANMAR); and
Nghia Nippers Corporation, Thi Thu Huang Nguyen (VIETNAM).
PRIORITY INTEGRATION SECTOR EXCELLENCE AWARDS WINNERS
e-ASEAN: DeClout Limited, Kok Khun Wong (SINGAPORE);
LOGISTICS: Asian Marine Transport Corp., Paul Rodriguez (PHILIPPINES);
WOOD-BASED: Nature’s Legacy Eximport, Pedro Delantar (PHILIPPINES);
RUBBER: Kossan Rubber Industries, Kuang Sia Lim (MALAYSIA);
AGRI FOOD: Destileria Limtuaco & Co., Olivia Limpe-Aw (PHILIPPINES);
HEALTHCARE: PT Kalbe Farma, Vidjongtius (INDONESIA);
TOURISM: Air Asia, Tony Fernandes (MALAYSIA); and
RETAIL: Golden ABC, Bernie Liu (PHILIPPINES).
LEGACY AWARD WINNERS
Haji Musa Bin Hj Adnin, Adinin Group of Companies (BRUNEI);
Dr. (H.C.) Sudhamek AWS, GarudaFood (INDONESIA);
Rattana Prathoumvan, EDL Generation Public Company (LAOS);
Goh Peng Ooi, Silverlake Axis Limited (MALAYSIA);
Aung Ko Win, Kanbawza Bank (MYANMAR);
John Gokongwei Jr., JG Summit Holdings Inc. (PHILIPPINES).
Wee Cho Yaw, United Overseas Bank (SINGAPORE); and
Sakchai Unchittikul, Srichiengmai Industry Company (THAILAND);
Le Thu Thuy, BRG Group, (VIETNAM).
