20 Outstanding Winners Honored at the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards 2019

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Sept. 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Twenty outstanding Malaysian entrepreneurs and organizations were honored at the recently concluded Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards 2019 or APEA, led by Puncak Niaga's Tan Sri Rozali Bin Ismail and DMIA's Datuk Seri Subramaniam Pillai.

APEA 2019 MALAYSIA WINNERS GROUP PHOTO

This is the award's 13^th year, and Malaysia is the sixth market to organize the awards this year, out of the awards' 14 markets. An initiative by Malaysia-based Enterprise Asia, APEA is the largest regional recognition programme, with over 3,000 nominations received each year, and less than one tenth of that receiving the awards in all 14 markets.

With the theme of 'Promoting Inclusive Economic Development Through Sustainable Entrepreneurship', over 300 attendees were present at the by-invitation only awards ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, comprising of industry leaders and dignitaries including Tan Sri Dr. Fong Chan Onn, chairman of Enterprise Asia; Tan Sri Ahmad Fuzi Haji Abdul Razak, advisor to Enterprise Asia; Datuk Seri Dr. Victor Wee, advisor to Enterprise Asia; Dato' Robert Teo, managing partner of RSM Malaysia; Dato' Rosman Mohamed, Acting Managing Director of Bank Rakyat and Dato' William Ng, president of Enterprise Asia.

In Malaysia, APEA is supported by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), Malaysia Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (MAICCI) and Institut Keusahawanan Negara (INSKEN). RSM Malaysia is the official assurance partner of the awards, while Bank Rakyat is the main sponsor.

Over the past thirteen years, over 2,000 of the most senior entrepreneurs in Asia has received the APEA, including Malaysia's Tan Sri Yeoh Tiong Lay, Tan Sri Azman Hashim and Tan Sri Teh Hong Piow; Indonesia's Chairul Tanjung, Mochtar Riady and Ciputra; Thailand's Kobchai Chirathivat and Rit Thirakomen; Philippines' Henry Sy and Tony Tan; Singapore's Kwek Leng Beng and Sam Goi; and India's Adi Godrej and Rahul Bajaj.

Dr. Fong said, "This year marks the 13^th year of running the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards in Malaysia, and we are gratified by the continued interest in the programme. We believe this is a reflection of the ongoing success of entrepreneurs and enterprises, as well as our steadfast commitment to upholding the highest standards of our global criteria."

According to Bank Rakyat's acting managing director, Dato' Rosman Mohamed, "Bank Rakyat, the biggest Islamic cooperative bank in Malaysia, places special emphasis on  fostering entrepreneurship. The Bank has a strong belief that developing this segment will lead to the exponential growth to which Malaysia is aspiring."

"As an agency under the purview of the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development, Bank Rakyat has been supportive towards the government's call for financial inclusion by providing financing and advisory to aspiring entrepreneurs for expansion of their own businesses in wholesale and retail, manufacturing, services or other sectors approved by the Bank.

"Therefore, we believe that events of this nature will further encourage entrepreneurs to strive towards increased productivity, product innovation and accelerate new product development to take advantage of new opportunities," Dato' Rosman added.

Besides Tan Sri Rozali Bin Ismail, executive chairman of Puncak Niaga Holdings Berhad, who was accorded the Special Achievement Award, and Datuk Seri Subramaniam Pillai, executive director of Dhaya Maju Infrastructure (Asia) who was accorded the Entrepreneur of the Year Award, other notable winners of the APEA include Mohamad Razif Abdul Wahab, CEO of Central Spectrum and Leslie Gomez, managing director of Ghazel Mahel (The Olive Tree Group). Furthermore, Koperasi Co-Opbank Pertama Malaysia and MFE Formwork Technology received the accolade under corporate excellence category.

In conjunction with the APEA, Enterprise Asia officially announced the partnership with Plaza Premium Group, where future winners of the awards are entitled to access Plaza Premium First lounges in Hong Kong, Malaysia, and six other countries/regions in Asia whilst forging relationships with other business elites.

Enterprise Asia also launched the #InnovationRev2.0 movement, which connects the non-governmental organization's 2,000 plus members to innovation experts and changemakers. Technology firms such as Epson Malaysia, Robopreneur, and Wise AI were invited to showcase their innovations at the event.

Dr. Fong added, "Malaysia is now in a critical juncture of our growth. To move ahead and reclaim our position as a tiger of Asia, we need to break out from the middle-income trap we are in by leveraging on innovation to better value add our production. This calls for not just a move towards IR 4.0, but more importantly to enable an innovation-mindset from young. Teach our children to think creatively. Encourage our youths to act innovatively. Empower our civil service to be nimble and be innovation-centred."

PR Newswire is the News Release Distribution Partner of APEA Malaysia.

ASIA PACIFIC ENTREPRENEURSHIP AWARDS 2019 MALAYSIA

About Enterprise Asia

Enterprise Asia is a non-governmental organization in pursuit of creating an Asia that is rich in entrepreneurship as an engine towards sustainable and progressive economic and social development within a world of economic equality. Its two pillars of existence are investment in people and responsible entrepreneurship. Enterprise Asia works with governments, NGOs and other organizations to promote competitiveness and entrepreneurial development, in uplifting the economic status of people across Asia and in ensuring a legacy of hope, innovation and courage for the future generation. For further information, visit www.enterpriseasia.org.

About Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards

Launched in 2007, the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards is the region's most prestigious awards for outstanding entrepreneurship, continuous innovation and sustainable leadership. The Award provides a platform for companies and governments to recognize entrepreneurial excellence, hence spurring greater innovation, fair business practices and growth in entrepreneurship. As a regional award, it groups together leading entrepreneurs as a powerful voice for entrepreneurship and serves as a by-invitation only networking powerhouse. The program has grown to encompass 14 countries and markets all over Asia. For further information, visit www.apea.asia.

Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20190910/2575318-1?lang=0