The inaugural Export Excellence Awards 2019 set the tone for its aim to recognise deserving companies in the export arena, with an eye on building a community of Malaysian exporters to inspire and spur their peers to reach greater heights.
Its gala night, recently held at EQ Kuala Lumpur, saw three homegrown companies emerge as Exporter of the Year, namely Hartalega Holdings Bhd, Lemon Sky Animation Studio and TS Maritime Sdn Bhd.
A special award for halal products was also conferred to Julie’s Manufacturing Sdn Bhd.
EEA 2019 also honoured 15 Gold Award winners, 12 Silver Award winners and 10 Most Promising Exporters.
Striving to recognise the achievements of outstanding Malaysian exporters, the awards ceremony recognised excellence in 10 categories across different sectors, sizes and geographical regions.
Among the sectors were electrical and electronics, oil and gas, chemical, mineral and alloy, commodities, machinery, equipment and automation, as well as services.
Based on annual sales turnover, the winners were also separated into the three tiers of small and medium enterprises, mid-tier companies and large companies.
Beyond winning trophies, the awards’ aim is also to build a community of Malaysian exporters to support one another, share thought leadership and best practices with the industry’s elite, as well as provide a platform for exporters to showcase their capabilities and global potential.
Present at the event were International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Darell Leiking, Star Media Group Bhd (SMG) chairman Datuk Fu Ah Kiow, Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia chairman Datuk Yvonne Chia, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation chief executive officer Datuk Wan Latiff Wan Musa, PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd group chief executive and managing director Datuk Michael Tio, SMG group chief executive officer Andreas Vogiatzakis, Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia managing director and chief executive officer Abrar A. Anwar and Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Bhd chief corporate officer Abdul Rahim Raduan.
The EEA 2019 Gala Night was organised by SMG in partnership with Standard Chartered with PKT Logistics Group as co-sponsor and Matrade as patron. EQ Kuala Lumpur was the official venue host, with Tiger as the official beer.
Audited by BDO, the awards appointed an independent panel of judges to review submissions in the spirit of transparency, working with partners including the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia, the Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Malaysia China Chamber of Commerce, Dewan Perniagaan Melayu Malaysia, the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce and the Malaysia-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry. -The Star