Applications for outstanding regional enterprises are open for this year’s ASEAN Business Awards (ABA).
Brunei’s ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) – the country’s private sector representative to ASEAN – will be organising ABA this year as part of the Sultanate’s ASEAN chairmanship.
The ceremonial awarding will take place virtually on November 10. Each year has seen ABA award multiple winners from different countries in most categories.
ABA will feature eight main categories: Priority Integration Sectors, SME Excellence, Women Entrepreneur, Young Entrepreneur, Friends of ASEAN, Inclusive Business, Skills Development and Brunei Special Award: Emerging Social Enterprise.
ABA is organised annually and aims to showcase home-grown ASEAN companies that are globally competitive and as well as emerging small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that have the potential to breakthrough globally.
The special award for social enterprises is unique to this year’s ABA and is open to ASEAN based NGOs that have been operating for at least two years and have played a significant role in social, environmental and community development.
The Priority Integration Sectors, derived from the ASEAN Economic Community, have 10 sectors up for awards: ICT, Sustainability, Infrastructure, Logistics, Energy, Finance, Tourism, Food & Beverage and Healthcare.
The SME Excellence category also has multiple sub categories open for awards, each recognising excellence in growth, employment innovation and corporate social responsibility.
Two individual-based awards recognising those demonstrating leadership in a company are the Women Entrepreneur and Young Entrepreneur. The latter recognises individuals below 35-years-old.
The Friends of ASEAN award recognizes companies outside ASEAN who have contributed to the region’s socio-economic development.
The Inclusive Business award highlights profitable business models that have also helped resolve the problems of the less fortunate.
Meanwhile the Skills Development Award honours businesses that have significantly contributed to human capital development in line with the fourth industrial revolution.
The deadline for application is October 14, with the exception of the Inclusive Business award which must be submitted to Darussalam Enterprise (DARe) by September 13. Application forms and further details are available on Brunei ASEAN-BAC website.
