PETALING JAYA: The Star Outstanding Business Awards (SOBA) 2022 took to the skies yesterday, with the launch ceremony adopting the theme SOAR, which represents the keywords “Sustain, Optimise, Accelerate and Resilience”.
In its 13th consecutive year, SOBA’s theme this time reflects how businesses are expected to reach greater heights, as the country transitions towards the endemic stage and industries return to their pre-Covid-19 output levels.
Held at the Cybertorium in Menara Star, the launch – conceptualised to resemble boarding an aeroplane – was attended by Star Media Group Bhd (SMG) chief executive officer Alex Yeow and chief business officer Lydia Wang.
In her welcome address, Wang said, “The past couple of years have been challenging to say the least, especially for Malaysia’s homegrown organisations.
“Yet, as with every challenge that presents itself, comes the opportunity to overcome them and discover new ways of doing things.”
With that she announced that this year’s central, overarching theme will focus on sustaining the upward trajectory that many local enterprises are on.
She also mentioned that SOBA will introduce several new categories, one of which is the “Best in e-Retail” to pay tribute to SMEs that have successfully embraced digitalisation.
Other new categories include the “Best Halal Product or Service” category and the Elite Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
“To facilitate and help participants familiarise themselves with the submission process, we’re also introducing virtual SOBA clinics so that participants will be able to present their best submission possible,” added Wang.
Besides being an awards programme, SOBA aims to foster a community of high calibre leaders who will be willing to share their expertise via a number of exciting initiatives.
She shared, “One of them is the SOBA Biz Club, an exclusive avenue for business leaders to connect more meaningfully, build stronger strategic partnerships and ultimately create an ecosystem of shared prosperity.”
Also present at the launch were representatives from the official trade promoter Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), and main sponsors Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Bhd (CGC), PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd and RHB Bank Bhd.
Matrade CEO Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz said, “What is important for us is to continue extending our assistance to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and enhance our assistance to the business community to also include micro businesses.”
Mustafa said Matrade has been entrusted by the Government with a clear mandate to facilitate micro businesses and SMEs to explore the international market.
CGC president and CEO Datuk Mohd Zamree Mohd Ishak said, “As CGC is celebrating our 50th anniversary this July 5, we felt it is apt for us to continue supporting SOBA.”
He added that SOBA’s objectives are in line with CGC’s aspirations, which is to be a partner for SMEs in their growth.
For PKT Logistics Group chief marketing officer Kuan Eu Jin, being a past SOBA winner back in 2012 and 2013 has benefitted PKT, in terms of exposure and branding.
“Even in terms of ESG awareness, SOBA is a platform that should really be shared with every SME out there,” mentioned Kuan.
RHB SME Banking head Yip How Nang shared, “SOBA is a very good platform for [SMEs] to measure themselves against their peers and get motivated to go forward.”
He also added that it is important for businesses to first put their financials into perspective, to know where to focus and to understand that banks are there for them.
The event concluded with a keynote session, titled “Malaysia Economy Outlook 2022: Impact From Global Events”, by Khazanah Research Institute senior advisor, Prof Dr Jomo Kwame Sundaram.
SOBA is open to locally incorporated enterprises not part of a multinational or listed company with foreign equity not exceeding 50%.
Subsidiaries of listed companies are eligible to participate. The deadline for entries is Nov 11, 2022.
There will be two tiers of the award based on company turnover – up to RM25mil turnover and RM25mil and above turnover.
Shortlisted finalists will be invited to present their submission to the panel of judges.
SOBA 2022 is organised by SMG with CGC, PKT Logistics Group and RHB as main sponsors and Matrade as official trade promotion partner.
Supported by Bursa Malaysia, it is audited by BDO with 988 and Suria as official media partners.
To participate in SOBA 2022 or for more information, call SMG Events at 017-231 1789 or visit www.soba.com.my.
