KUALA LUMPUR, 18 October 2019 – The 8th ASEAN Outstanding Business Award (AOBA) was held on 18th October 2019 witnessed Tan Sri Dr Lim Wee Chai (Executive Chairman and Founder of Top Glove Corporation Bhd) and Dato’ Dr. Manjit Singh (Founder of Manjit Singh Sachdev, Mohammad Radzi & Partners) awarded the “Lifetime Achievement Awards” by Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution, Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) and Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Yusof, Minister of Entrepreneur Development (MED). Tan Sri Tony Fernandes (Group CEO of Air Asia Berhad), Dato’ Wan Latiff Wan Musa (CEO of MATRADE), Datuk Dzulkifli Fadzillah (Chairman of Perbadanan Nasional Berhad), Dato’ Chef Wan (Malaysian Celebrity Chef), Ernie Zakri (Malaysian Award-Winning Singer), and amongst others received Awards for their achievements and successes in their respective industries, contributing to the retail & franchise industry. The global prestigious award ceremony was organized by ASEAN Retail Chains Franchise Federation (ARFF) held at HXC Grand Ballroom, ICC Pudu, Kuala Lumpur. The Award acknowledges and recognizes outstanding ASEAN businesses that have shown significant progress in establishing and reinforcing their positions, in a myriad of industry sectors. The AOBA 2019 provides an opportunity for businesses to garner greater exposure and expand their networks within the ASEAN business community and the global stage.
(L-R) Lee Pei Ling, Malaysian Singer, Ernie Zakri, Malaysian Singer, Dato’ Dr. Prof. Jayles Yeoh, President of ASEAN Retail-Chains & Franchise Federation (ARFF), Dato’ Mike Loh, Organizing Chairman of the 8th ASEAN Outstanding Business Award, Dato’ Dr. Manjit Singh, Founder of Manjit Singh Sachdev, Mohammad Radzi & Partners and Datuk Dr. Chef Wan, Malaysian Celebrity Chef in a group photo.
Over the years, ASEAN Retail Chains Franchise Federation (ARFF) has further expanded the categories of ASEAN Outstanding Business Award (AOBA) to include and recognize outstanding young entrepreneurs, women entrepreneurs and sustainable social enterprises. Into its 8th edition, the award provides an opportunity for businesses to garner greater exposure and expand their network within the ASEAN business community and the global stage. The annual award ceremony emphasizes that the trophy and recognition is given to those who have been recognized as the outstanding individuals that have greatly contributed to ASEAN’s economic growth and prosperity in their respective industries, strengthening the retail and franchise industry. The award aims to commit their global members to promote exemplary leadership and recognize the successes of entrepreneurs and leading business visionaries across all industry sectors.
The award honors their overall excellence and great contributions towards global economic development. Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Yusof, Minister of Entrepreneur Development (MED) said, “The 8th ASEAN Outstanding Business Award doesn’t only recognize the industry stalwarts but also provides an avenue for fellow recipients to network with each other and creates expansion plans & partnership advancements as a serious entrepreneur. In addition, the 8th AOBA also brings spotlight to the promising ASEAN small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have the potential to become global economic players.” AOBA also serves as a platform for information dissemination regarding the ASEAN Economic Community to promote regional integration among ASEAN member states.
Dato’ Mike Loh, Organizing Chairman of the 8th ASEAN Outstanding Business Award
Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution bin Ismail, Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP), who was also present said, “Such a prestigious global award event is a sturdy platform and a great effort towards recognizing the many exemplary leaders across Malaysia, and I am sure these global leaders have inspired many people through their outstanding achievements within their respective fields and industries. Our robust economy is the result of the strong business relationships in which the ARFF plays a significant role in championing the promotion and development of trade within the ASEAN region, which is poised to have a significant effect towards the Malaysian retail growth of 4.4% in 2019.”
Dato’ Mike Loh, Organizing Chairman of the 8th ASEAN Outstanding Business Award, said, “We believe the award, through the network and brand exposure, will encourage the recipients to expand their business across ASEAN and thus stimulating the economic growth. We are delighted to have our counterparts from Australia, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Myanmar, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Brunei, Hong Kong, Thailand and Hungary present here with us to enhance the business opportunity for our fellow ASEAN entrepreneurs globally.”
Dato’ Dr. Chef Wan, Malaysian Celebrity Chef
Dato’ Dr. Jayles Yeoh, Co-Organizing Chairman of the 8th ASEAN Outstanding Business Award, said, “We are pleased to recognize Dato’ Chef Wan and Ernie Zakri for their contributions as a social media influencer for the retail sector. They have been able to leverage their success in their respective industry to promote and stimulate the ASEAN economy, especially for the retail and franchise industry. It is also our duty as the Malaysian Chapter to promote our home-grown products and services, including talents, to the global community.”
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About Asean Retail Chains Franchise Federation (ARFF)
ASEAN Retail Chains & Franchise Federation (ARFF) was established in 2008 to champion the promotion and development of trade particularly in the retail chains, franchise and tourism and shopping industries within the 10 ASEAN countries including 6 countries (China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand). The vision of ARFF is “Making ASEAN the world class tourism & shopping paradise.” ARFF aims to simulate the European Union (EU) and to make ASEAN a hotspot for business opportunities by harnessing the collective strength of all countries in ASEAN
