The 14th run of the Star Outstanding Business Awards (SOBA) has concluded in a resounding success with 122 awardees honoured with the prestigious business accolades.

Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick described the awards organised by the Star Media Group in partnership with leading corporations as a prestigious programme that recognises and celebrates the exceptional contributions of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to the Malaysian economy.

“For 14 years, SOBA has recognised some of the most successful enterprises and built a community for the MSMEs to promote the spirit of entrepreneurship, nurture businesses to compete in the next level and encourage knowledge sharing among its alumni.

“SOBA has recognised more than 400 entrepreneurs and businesses for their outstanding contributions to the economy.

“Entrepreneurs and MSMEs have always been the backbone of Malaysia’s economy.

“Since independence, our forefathers had strived to build this nation through hard work and persistence,” Ewon said in his speech at the SOBA 2023 Gala Night at One World Hotel here yesterday.

Ewon said he was glad to see that the audience had preserved the energy and drive and, more deservingly, given the recognition.

Ewon said the Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Ministry had recently announced a new initiative to assist and support SME Corp-registered MSMEs aiming to list on Bursa Malaysia in 2024.

This programme will alleviate listing expenses and provide Malaysian MSMEs with the tools and knowledge to be more competitive, he said.

Ewon added that the ministry is dedicated to supporting Malaysian entrepreneurs in expanding their product markets globally.

“By providing assistance to our entrepreneurs, in the long term, it will provide businesses with sustainable results and in turn provide a boost to the national economy,” he said.

Ewon also said that entrepreneurs lead the way by being savvy, adaptive and resilient in navigating the ever-evolving business landscape to strive for success, ultimately benefiting the people and the nation.

He also underscored the importance of collective cooperation between government agencies, corporations and entrepreneurs to create a conducive ecosystem for business success.

Star Media Group group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt said the occasion marks a significant milestone as awardees are recognised for their contributions to the nation and the economy.

“This year also saw the introduction of a new SOBA category, the SOBA MIKRO Recognition Award, which aims to recognise MSMEs for their contributions to the nation’s economy,” he said in his speech.

Chan added that SOBA, which has served as a platform for homegrown businesses and entrepreneurs, especially the MSMEs, to strive for excellence, also inspires continuous improvement for businesses in order to expand their footprints on the international stage.

Also present at the awards ceremony were PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd group CEO Datuk Seri Dr Michael Tio; Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad president and CEO Datuk Mohd Zamree Mohd Ishak; CelcomDigi Berhad enterprise sales (SME) department head Steven Soon; RHB Bank Berhad SME banking head Yip How Nang; and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) strategic planning division senior director Raja Badrulnizam Raja Kamalzaman.

SOBA 2023 is organised by Star Media Group with CelcomDigi Berhad, Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad, PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd and RHB Bank Berhad as main sponsors, and Matrade as official trade promotion partner.

Supported by Bursa Malaysia, SOBA is audited by BDO while radio stations 988 and Suria are official media partners.

For more information, call SMG Events (017-231 1789) or go to www.soba.com.my.