In its efforts to bridge ASEAN Governments with its private sectors, ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN BAC) launched the ASEAN Business Awards (ABA) in 2007 to recognise enterprises that have contributed to the growth and prosperity of the ASEAN economy. Since then, the annual awards have recognised more than 60 companies throughout the region which are considered the ‘Most Admired ASEAN Enterprises’ excelling in the categories of: Growth, Employment, Innovation and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). In recognition of the role of Youth as contributors to economic development, ABA 2013 have included the criteria on Young Entrepreneur (YE). This additional criterion will involve assessment only under the Innovation category.
ABA was conceived to be the first of its kind in the region, with the dual objectives of showcasing home grown ASEAN companies that have become role models for other aspiring companies, as well as providing spotlight for promising ASEAN small and medium enterprises (SME) to help them grow to become potential global players.
About the criteria, when ABA was launched in 2007, it only catered to the participation of larger size companies. A strict rule of ‘at-least’ 40 percent ASEAN-owned was and still is a crucial criterion of the awards. This is to ensure that recipients of the prestigious event are actually grown within the region and are ASEAN brands.
To ensure the credibility and validity of the larger sized companies participating, ABA requires that at least 3 years of a company’s financial statements presented to be audited.
The SME Category was only introduced in 2008 during Thailand’s Chairmanship. It was agreed to be added as a category because of the contribution SME makes towards ASEAN’s economic growth. ABA recognise the differences in the definition of SMEs from one Member State to another in ASEAN. In that regards, an SME participating in ABA should adhere to the SME criteria defined by the government of each ASEAN Member State.
In recent years, ASEAN BAC have worked closely with ASEAN SME Working Group, an official government working group focused on SME development, to further tailor the SME criteria of ABA and encourage the participation of SME in the region.
Specially, ASEAN BAC 2013 will focus on reinforcing the foundation and accelerating progress for a seamless regional economy by 2015. The Council will be building on its previous year’s work with focused priorities on: Strengthening regional economic integration and expanding trade; promoting start ups and the sustainable development of businesses; and promoting the inclusion of Youth and Women.
In recognition of the role of Youth as contributors to economic development and, consistent with ASEAN 2013 theme of “Our People, Our Future Together” that includes efforts toward promoting youth in its integration, ABA 2013 have included the criteria on Young Entrepreneur (YE). This additional criterion will involve assessment under the Innovation category only.
About the categories of ABA 2013, within the three different criteria catered in 2013 ABA, the awards aim to identify the “Most Admired ASEAN Enterprises” in the categories of Growth, Employment, Innovation and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). These categories have remained unchanged since ABA was launched in 2007.
ASEAN BAC believes that the four existing categories in ABA are universal in determining admired enterprises in the region, and are also aligned with private sector developments within the AEC Blueprint.
Specially, in four categories of ABA, about the corporate Social Responsibility, company have demonstrate a high standard of commitment in the way they organise and integrate their responsible business practices will receive this prestigious endorsement. Submissions should provide evidence of a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy that integrates responsible business practice into their mainstream operations resulting in a positive impact in the workplace, the marketplace, the environment or the community.
Companies shortlisted by the Strategic Partner will be brought to the attention of an independent judging panel comprising of top business leaders, economists and academics from ASEAN countries.
In addition, to ensure the high-quality and independence of such a prestigious award, ASEAN BAC has engaged KPMG as the Strategic Partner. KPMG will administer the implementation of the nominations, assessments and selections; as well as assist in promoting the event throughout the ASEAN region. Companies shortlisted by the Strategic Partner will be brought to the attention of an independent judging panel comprising of top business leaders, economists and academics from ASEAN countries.
Dr Doan Duy Khuong, Vice President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and Chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council in Vietnam, said: The past years have witnessed remarkable growth of ASEAN and enterprises in the bloc have powered up the robust growth of ASEAN, making it a powerful economic region in the world. ABA is a highlight that marks on the success of ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ASEAN-BIS) and ASEAN. Award winners have the opportunity to contact and impress the regional business community. Following the success of previous years, ABA 2013 will open up many opportunities for cooperation and branding for companies.
Awards will be presented at the Gala Dinner of the 2013 ASEAN BIS, scheduled to be held on August 22-24, 2013 in Bandar Seri Begawan.
Thu Ha
Đăng ký: VietNam News
