SOBA 2022 Gala Night honours SMEs that rise above challenges to contribute to nation
THE 13th Star Outstanding Business Awards (SOBA) 2022 Gala Night recognised the creme de la creme of Malaysia’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that have excelled despite current economic challenges.
Among the notable guests at the event held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre were International Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz along with Star Media Group Bhd (SMG) group chief executive officer Alex Yeow.
Awards were given out in two tiers, companies with turnover of up to RM25mil, and RM25mil and above.
Homegrown brand known for its desserts, Secret Recipe Holdings Sdn Bhd was the Malaysian Business of the Year winner in the “RM25mil and above” annual turnover tier, while Delux Structural Works Sdn Bhd clinched the “up to RM25mil” annual turnover category.
Secret Recipe, a cafe chain that serves cakes and fusion food in a service environment, also took home five other awards including platinum for Best Brand, gold for Best Green Initiative, platinum for the newly introduced Best Halal Product or Service category, gold for Best in Retail and the Male Entrepreneur Of The Year (Award) for Outstanding Achievement.
Secret Recipe managing director Patrick Sim Chee Hong said SOBA allowed the company to evaluate whether it was doing well in the market.
(From left) Joachim, SMG chief content officer Esther Ng, Mohd Zamree, Mohd Mustafa, Tengku Zafrul, Yeow, RHB Group Community Banking managing director Jeffrey Ng, Tio, SMG chief business officer Lydia Wang and Thomas at the gala night. – Photos by NG KOK LEONG, AZHAR MAHFOF, YAP CHEE HONG, ART CHEN, SAMUEL ONG and FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
“After the tough pandemic years, we see we are still industry leaders and that has always been our vision. We plan to expand from our current 354 outlets to 400 outlets by 2025,” he added.
Delux Structural Works picked up four awards – platinum for both Best Brand and Best in Customer Service, gold for Best in Retail, and silver for Best in Marketing.
Meanwhile, EBright Sdn Bhd, a company that helps children and teenagers develop confidence through public speaking, clinched the Rising Star Grand Winner SOBA Award.
EBright managing director Kevin Khoo said, “The SOBA trophy will inspire our coaches.”
The Elite Entrepreneur Of The Year was awarded to Tan Cherng Thong of NSS IT Solution Sdn Bhd.
Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz said the SOBA gala was the biggest night in its business calendar.
“Winners must be prepared to explore new markets to win over more customers, and Matrade is ready to assist them,” he said.
Both Talent Corporation Malaysia Bhd (TalentCorp) group chief executive officer Thomas Mathew and CelcomDigi chief corporate affairs officer Joachim Rajaram lauded the SOBA awards for being an excellent platform to show due appreciation for outstanding companies.
Thomas said, “SOBA gets business leaders together to share and learn from each other. At the same time, aspiring entrepreneurs are encouraged to take the next step and make a bold venture.”
Joachim said it was the duty of the entire business community to make sure SMEs continue to thrive and mature on their digitisation journey.
Credit Guarantee Corporation (CGC) Malaysia Bhd president and chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Zamree Mohd Ishak said SMEs were the backbone of the Malaysian economy.
“They contribute to 38% of our gross domestic product and provide employment for 40% to 50% of our workforce. We must support these competitive and dynamic businesses,” added Mohd Zamree.
Winning a SOBA award can raise a company’s profile and elevate it to the next level, according to PKT Logistics Group group chief executive and managing director Datuk Seri Dr Michael Tio.
“SOBA needs to continue as it helps a lot of SMEs. Winning an award proves that the business is dynamic and innovative,” he said.
SOBA 2022 is organised by SMG with Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Bhd, CelcomDigi, PKT Logistics Group and RHB Bank Bhd as main sponsors, TalentCorp Malaysia as co-sponsor and Matrade as official trade promotion partner.
Supported by Bursa Malaysia, it is audited by BDO with 988 and Suria as official media partners.
For more information on SOBA 2022, call SMG Events at 017-231 1789 or visit www.soba.com.my.
Business leaders networking during the SOBA 2022 Gala Night held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
Joachim (third from left) and the CelcomDigi team looking their best at the event.
Dancers entertaining the crowd at the SOBA 2022 Gala Night.
RHB Bank Bhd group chief marketing officer Abdul Sani Abdul Murad (seated, third from left) and SME Banking head Yip How Nang (second seated from left) with their team.
The teams from TalentCorp and Matrade, seated together.
PKT Logistics director and human resource and administration head Datin Seri May Tio (seated, third from left) and her team.
Carlsberg Malaysia Corporate Affairs and Sustainability director Pearl Lai Ming Choo (second from left) and her team raising their drinks for success.
Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Bhd president and chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Zamree Mohd Ishak (sixth from left) with Wang (seventh left) and the CGC team.
The interactive robot was an instant draw during the presentation of results to the emcees.
