The Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) 2024 Regional Edition proudly celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit, honouring a new elite of industry leaders spearheading inclusive entrepreneurship across Asia. Set in Bangkok, Thailand, this year’s awards highlighted leading business leaders and enterprises who have championed inclusivity, broken barriers for underrepresented groups, and created pathways for individuals from diverse backgrounds to thrive in the business world. The awards ceremony was graced by H.E. Datuk Jojie Samuel, Ambassador of Malaysia to Thailand, and Chotima Iemsawasdikul, Director-General of Department of Trade Negotiations of the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand.
Organised annually in 16 markets by regional NGO Enterprise Asia, the Awards presents Asia's largest award networking platform. Since 2007, the Awards has been organised all over the region with past recipients comprising Taiwan's Douglas Tong Hsu, Hong Kong’s Francis Lui and Lawrence Ho, TTC Vietnam's Dang Van Thanh, Thailand's Supaluck Umpujh, Cuckoo Malaysia's Hoe Kian Choon, Indonesia’s Hary Tanoesoedibjo and Mochtar Riady, India’s Adi Godrej, and the Philippines’ Dennis Anthony Uy.
The award recipients were selected from over 150 nominees through a rigorous evaluation process by a jury of prominent judges across four categories: Master Entrepreneur, Inspirational Brand, Fast Enterprise, and Corporate Excellence.
Richard Tsang, President of Enterprise Asia, stated in his welcome speech, “As leaders, we bear the profound responsibility to nurture and expand this ecosystem. By fostering diversity and inclusion, we not only drive economic growth but ensure that our progress lifts all members of society. Together, we are building a future where success is shared, progress is inclusive, and Asia’s economic potential is fully realised.”
Among the notable awardees are Thailand’s Kamonpop Veerapala, President of Government Housing Bank (G H Bank), and Gil G. Chua, Group Chairman and CEO of DDB Group Philippines, whose leadership transcends traditional business achievements as they actively cultivate cultures of inclusion within their organisations and beyond, setting a powerful example for the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Further outstanding awardees include Indonesia’s PT INTENS under the Fast Enterprise category, Thailand’s Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited and Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) under the Inspirational Brand category, and Thailand’s Central Retail Corporation Public Company Limited along with Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) under the Corporate Excellence category. These exceptional awardees represent the diversity and strength of Asia’s business landscape, each setting new standards of excellence within their respective categories.
The prestigious Enterprise Asia Linchpin of Asia Awards 2024 was also held in conjunction with the APEA 2024 Regional Edition. The Awards stands as the pinnacle of recognition for entrepreneurship with the winners drawn exclusively from the illustrious alumni of the APEA and showcases the pinnacle of excellence among Asia’s most distinguished industry leaders and enterprises.
The awardees of this year’s Linchpin of Asia Awards include Sinyi Realty Inc’s visionary Founder Chou Chun-Chi from Taiwan under the Entrepreneur Category and Thailand’s Muang Thai Life Assurance Public Company Limited and Taiwan Alpha Electronic Co., Ltd. under the Corporate Category. Each of these trailblazers has carved out a unique niche within their respective industries, embodying the extraordinary potential and dynamic spirit that drive Asia’s business landscape and setting new benchmarks for excellence and innovation. Their achievements are not just milestones for their companies but are also catalysts for broader industry advancements and societal progress.
Prior to the APEA 2024 Regional Edition and Linchpin of Asia Awards 2024, the Asia Economic Forum (AEF) 2024 was held in the day. The forum convened over 300 C-suite-level executives, business leaders, and policymakers from 19 countries. Themed “Empowering Asia Through Inclusive Entrepreneurship Ecosystems”, the forum provided a regional platform for leading thought leaders to delve into the intricacies of entrepreneurship ecosystems, serving as a catalyst to propel Asia's economic trajectory forward. Through comprehensive discussions, the forum dissected barriers while spotlighting the manifold advantages inherent in fostering inclusive entrepreneurship. The forum was graced by Suchart Chomklin, Deputy Minister of Commerce of Thailand.
Enterprise Asia’s President Richard Tsang expressed at the forum’s opening that, “An inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystem is not merely about levelling the playing field; it is about ensuring that every individual, regardless of background, gender or circumstance, has the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from the growth and prosperity of our region. It is about breaking down the walls that divide us and building bridges that connect us—bridges that lead to innovation, sustainable development, and shared prosperity.”
The forum featured an impressive lineup of speakers, including Dr. Chatchai Thnarudee, Board of Directors at Digital Government Development Agency, MCOT Public Company Limited, and Jaymart Insurance Public Company Limited; Jatupron Pimngern, Head of Strategic Foresight & Financial Innovation at DeeMoney and FinTech and Payment Innovation Expert; Kultida Leenabanchong, Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Communications Strategy Lead at Roche; Narusan Dhanvarjor, CEO of InnoSpace (Thailand); Rashmi Sharma, Sr. Director at Coca Cola, Leadership & Wellbeing Expert, and TEDx Speaker; Ratinan Wongwatcharanon, VP of Head of Investor Relations at Thai Credit Bank Public Company Limited; Lt. General Sudhir Sharma, Chairman of MitKat Advisory Services and Advisor to Enterprise Asia; Surasit Sachdev, CEO of Hungry Hub and Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the Sasin School of Management.
The AEF 2024, APEA 2024 Regional Edition, and Enterprise Asia Linchpin of Asia Awards 2024 are supported by the Kuala Lumpur Malay Chamber of Commerce, Malaysian Alliance of Corporate Directors, Malaysian Investment Development Authority, Malaysian-Thai Chamber of Commerce, Myanmar Business Executives Association, and Singapore-Thai Chamber Of Commerce. The AEF 2024 and Enterprise Asia Linchpin of Asia Awards 2024 are also supported by Business Networking Club Malaysia and Malaysia Chambers Jakarta.
PR Newswire is the Official News Release Distributor, and Bangkok Post, BusinessWorld, Dailywire.asia, Hong Kong Economic Times, and SME Magazine are the media partners for the AEF 2024 and APEA 2024 Regional Edition.