Export Excellence Awards to honour M’sian exporters

Smart partnership: (from left) Wong, Shareen, Isham, Abrar and Tio at the launch. The awards will honour 46 companies across seven categories, as well as three for the ‘Exporter of the Year’ title.

KUALA LUMPUR: In a move to recognise leading Malaysian exporters, Star Media Group has partnered with Standard Chartered to launch the inaugural Export Excellence Awards 2019.

The awards presentation, to be held in November 2019, will honour 46 companies across seven categories, as well as three for the “Exporter of the Year” title.

At the launch yesterday, Standard Chartered Malaysia managing director and CEO Abrar A. Anwar said the bank was honoured to be able to provide a platform for exporters to showcase their capabilities and global potential.

“With the bank’s deep roots in trade, the spirit of the awards is close to our hearts.

“We hope that by recognising these Malaysian heroes who have been taking the country’s flag and ‘Brand Malaysia’ to the international platform, more exporters will be encouraged to explore the opportunities beyond the country’s borders,” he said.

Abrar added that Standard Chartered, as a bank with almost 65 global network points, could play a key role in connecting Malaysian exporters to buyers in other markets.

“For example, we are the largest international bank in the African continent, and exports to Africa from Malaysia is only at 2% currently – there is huge opportunity there,” he said.

Star Media Group managing director and CEO Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai said the awards were the next step for the group, after its experience with the Star Outstanding Business Awards (SOBA) initiative.

“SOBA has always focused on the SME industry, and we now feel that it is time to take it to the next level and recognise the bigger exporters,” he said.

Wong added that the recipients of the Exporter of the Year awards would be chosen by a special panel of judges.

“In addition to the criteria applied across categories, we will pay particular attention to companies that have gone above and beyond in carrying the Malaysian brand across borders, thereby creating a positive impact on Malaysia overall,” he said.

Businesses that trade across the seven categories and have a turnover of over RM500mil or within the realm of RM50mil will have the opportunity of being crowned “Best Exporter” in each category.

The main award categories are electrical and electronics; oil and gas; chemical, mineral and alloy; agriculture; machinery, equipment and automation; services; and other industries.

A special award will also be given for the halal products category.

Datuk Michael Tio, CEO and managing director of PKT Logistics Group, which is a co-sponsor of the awards, said logistics was among the major challenges faced by Malaysian exporters.

“When we talk about exports, one of the major challenges is logistics. This is why I decided to be a part of this initiative.

“We want to create value for exporters and educate them on how to maximise their margins when exporting to other markets,” he said.

He noted that logistics was an area of weakness for Malaysian exporters, evidenced by the fact that Malaysia is a net exporter but the logistics portion was in deficit.

At a press conference, International Trade and Industry Ministry secretary-general Datuk Isham Ishak, who launched the awards, welcomed the initiative, saying that it was in line with the government’s efforts to boost exports.

“Recognition should not only come from the government but also from the private sector,” he said.

Isham said Malaysia was currently the 25th largest trading nation and 24th largest exporting nation in the world.

“This shows that even for a small country like Malaysia, international trade is vital,” he said.

Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade) CEO Dr Mohd Shareen Madros, who was present at the event, said the initiative was timely.

“The need to emphasise on pushing more of our players to venture beyond our borders is becoming even more important.

“We are in a region where the economy is booming and it is crucial that we stay ahead of the curve,” he said. Matrade is the patron of the awards.

Companies will be able to submit their entries from today until Aug 2, 2019, and winners will be announced during the ceremony in November.

For more information, go to exportawards.com.my