Organized annually across 16 critical markets by the regional NGO Enterprise Asia, APEA presents the largest award networking platform in Asia. Since its inception in 2007, the Awards have honored the titans of the region like Taiwan’s Douglas Tong Hsu, Hong Kong’s Francis Lui and Lawrence Ho, Vietnam’s Dang Van Thanh, Thailand’s Supaluck Umpujh, Malaysia’s Hoe Kian Choon, Indonesia’s Hary Tanoesoedibjo and Mochtar Riady, India’s Adi Godrej, and the Philippines’ Dennis Anthony Uy.
The selection of awardees was a rigorous process, where over 150 nominees vied for recognition across four distinguished categories: Master Entrepreneur, Inspirational Brand, Fast Enterprise, and Corporate Excellence. A jury of prominent judges meticulously evaluated each nominee.
During his welcome speech, Richard Tsang, President of Enterprise Asia, articulated a powerful message, “As leaders, we bear the profound responsibility to nurture and expand this ecosystem. By fostering diversity and inclusion, we not only drive economic growth but ensure that our progress lifts all members of society. Together, we are building a future where success is shared, progress is inclusive, and Asia’s economic potential is fully realized.”
Among the most illustrious awardees were Thailand’s Kamonpop Veerapala, President of Government Housing Bank (G H Bank), and Gil G. Chua, Group Chairman and CEO of DDB Group Philippines. Their visionary leadership transcended traditional business milestones, shaping inclusive cultures within their organizations and beyond—a truly inspiring model for the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Other notable awardees included Indonesia’s PT INTENS in the Fast Enterprise category, Thailand’s Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited, and Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) under the Inspirational Brand category. Thailand’s Central Retail Corporation Public Company Limited and Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) shined under the Corporate Excellence category. These distinction winners represent the diverse and dynamic strength of Asia’s business landscape, setting unprecedented standards of excellence.
The Enterprise Asia Linchpin of Asia Awards 2024, held concurrently with the APEA 2024 Regional Edition, is the zenith of entrepreneurial recognition. These winners are drawn from the illustrious alumni of APEA, showcasing unparalleled excellence and industry leadership.
This year’s Linchpin honorees included Sinyi Realty Inc’s visionary Founder Chou Chun-Chi from Taiwan in the Entrepreneur category and Thailand’s Muang Thai Life Assurance Public Company Limited alongside Taiwan Alpha Electronic Co., Ltd. in the Corporate category. These trailblazers illustrate the extraordinary potential and dynamic spirit propelling Asia’s business ecosystem, setting transformative benchmarks for innovation and excellence. Their achievements serve as catalysts for wider industry advancements and societal progress.
Preceding the APEA 2024 Regional Edition and Linchpin of Asia Awards 2024 was the Asia Economic Forum (AEF) 2024. This gathering convened over 300 top-tier executives, business leaders, and policymakers from 19 countries. Under the theme “Empowering Asia Through Inclusive Entrepreneurship Ecosystems”, the forum was a crucible for thought leadership, dissecting the intricacies of entrepreneurial ecosystems to propel Asia’s economic future. The Deputy Minister of Commerce of Thailand, Suchart Chomklin, graced the forum with his presence.
Richard Tsang, at the forum’s opening, accentuated, “An inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystem is not merely about leveling the playing field; it is about ensuring that every individual, regardless of background, gender or circumstance, has the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from the growth and prosperity of our region. It is about breaking down the walls that divide us and building bridges that connect us—bridges that lead to innovation, sustainable development, and shared prosperity.”
The forum boasted an impressive lineup of speakers, including Dr. Chatchai Thnarudee from Digital Government Development Agency, Jatupron Pimngern from DeeMoney, Kultida Leenabanchong from Roche, Narusan Dhanvarjor from InnoSpace (Thailand), Rashmi Sharma from Coca-Cola, Ratinan Wongwatcharanon from Thai Credit Bank, Lt. General Sudhir Sharma from MitKat Advisory Services, and Surasit Sachdev from Hungry Hub.
The AEF 2024, APEA 2024 Regional Edition, and Enterprise Asia Linchpin of Asia Awards 2024 received robust support from various organizations including the Kuala Lumpur Malay Chamber of Commerce, Malaysian Alliance of Corporate Directors, Malaysian Investment Development Authority, Malaysian-Thai Chamber of Commerce, Myanmar Business Executives Association, and Singapore-Thai Chamber Of Commerce. They were also backed by Business Networking Club Malaysia and Malaysia Chambers Jakarta.
PR Newswire was the Official News Release Distributor for these grand events, with media partnerships from Bangkok Post, BusinessWorld, Dailywire.asia, Hong Kong Economic Times, and SME Magazine.
It’s great to see so many businesses being recognized for their efforts in inclusion! Congrats to all the winners.
True, but how many of these initiatives are really effective? Companies often boast about inclusion without real change.
You make a good point, Raj. But I think public recognition can push companies to do better.
Publicity is just a PR game. True change happens internally and often goes unnoticed.
Given the prestigious nature of the awards, I would like to believe some companies are genuine about their inclusion efforts.
Why do we need to place so much emphasis on ‘inclusive entrepreneurship’? Shouldn’t the best ideas win regardless of who pitches them?
Equal opportunities are vital for fair competition. Without inclusivity, we’re missing out on talent.
But does forced inclusivity dilute the quality? It might create a culture of entitlement instead.
It’s not about entitlement; it’s about leveling the playing field so everyone has a fair chance.
Jonah, the emphasis is needed because historically, many talented individuals were left out due to biases. We need to correct past wrongs.
Kudos to Thailand for hosting such an inclusive event! It’s uplifting to see diverse talents being celebrated.
Indeed, but do you think the ceremony is just a showpiece? Real change happens on the ground.
Ceremonies like this can inspire others to push for real changes in their own organizations.
Interesting mix of winners from various industries. Hope they truly exemplify ‘corporate excellence’ beyond the title.
Awards should also focus on sustainability and environmental impact. Entrepreneurship isn’t just about inclusivity.
Gil G. Chua of DDB Group is an excellent choice for the award. His leadership is legendary in the Philippines.
Why is there so much emphasis on big companies? Small and medium businesses often contribute more to the community.
The event was impressive, but there’s a lot of room for improvements in how winners are selected. Transparency is key.
Bangkok was a perfect choice for the ceremony. The city’s vibrancy reflects the spirit of entrepreneurship.
But Bangkok has its issues. The city is vibrant, yes, but inclusivity and modern entrepreneurship are still limited to elite circles.
You’re right, Leon. It’s a start though, and hopefully, more varied communities will be embraced in the future.
Including more local communities would make the event more meaningful, but it’s a gradual process.
It’s impressive that the jury evaluates over 150 nominees. That must be a hard job!
Indeed, but are the judges fully impartial? Relationships and favoritism might still play a part.
The Asia Economic Forum also highlighted some crucial points. Inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystems are the way forward.
Happy to see PT INTENS winning in the Fast Enterprise category. Indonesia needs more recognition!
These awards are just a pat on the back for big corporations. What about startups and non-profits?
Events like these are essential for networking. Real success stories often begin with the connections made at such gatherings.
Wondering how many of these ‘Inclusive’ entrepreneurs actually have hiring policies that promote diversity.
It would be great to see data on their actual hiring practices compared to what they preach.
Thailand’s Metropolitan Electricity Authority winning the Corporate Excellence award is well-deserved. They’ve been pioneers in sustainable energy.
They still have a lot to improve, but I agree. Their efforts in green energy are commendable.
True, progress takes time. But they’re on the right path.
H.E. Datuk Jojie Samuel’s presence as an ambassador shows the importance of such events. Diplomacy can boost entrepreneurial spirit.
The fact that the forum included a theme like ‘Empowering Asia Through Inclusive Entrepreneurship Ecosystems’ shows forward-thinking.