HRH honours 11 SMEs for outstanding achievements
His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah (C), the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, and His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Malik (L) at the 2012 National SME Award ceremony at International Convention Centre in Berakas. Picture:Infofoto
BY LEO KASIM
BRUNEI-MUARA - AS MANY as 11 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) were honoured for their outstanding achievements at the First National SME Award at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas yesterday.
All awards were presented by His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-MuhtadeeBillah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, who also officiated the event.
The awards not only appreciated SMEs' efforts in spearheading economic growth to reduce country's dependence on hydrocarbons and accelerate economic diversification but also hoped to set a benchmark for them in becoming successful entrepreneurs at national and international level.
Echoing similar sentiment Minister of Industry and Primary Resources (MIPR) Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Haji Yahya Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Haji Bakar said that the awards acknowledge the role of SMEs in the national development.
SMEs play a vital role in shaping the future while pushing for economic growth, he said. "The aspect of annual sales, financial performance, innovation and unique products or services, strategic direction, company administration and integrity, business concept, use of technology, export-oriented, corporate social responsibility and company accreditation all are taken into account while selecting the award winners."
The minister said that 15 local companies have been shortlisted out of the 27 that initially participated.
The minister said that the event will serve as a motivation for SMEs to further pursue business innovation, high-tech approaches together with being competitive and having good management practices.
"I also hope that the SME awards ceremony will have a positive effect to the other SMEs and for the award winners to become business role models for the other companies" he said.
When it came to the awards, a total of 11 SMEs were honoured for their various achievements in reaching annual sales over $10 million, $5-$10 million, under $5 million and providing support services to the oil and gas sector.
The awards were also categorised into gold, silver and bronze representing the scores of 85-100 per cent, 70-84 per cent and 60-69 per cent respectively.
Timbertech Sdn Bhd was awarded the bronze award for annual sales over the $10 million mark whileMegamas Training Sdn Bhd bagged a silver award for making $5-$10 million in annual sales. Meanwhile,A-Fontane Company, Aewon Garment and Embroidery together with Arkitek Idris all received bronze in the under $5 million category while PTAS Sdn Bhd and Megamas got the silver for their services to the oil and gas sector. Primeart Sdn Bhd, Aifa Sdn Bhd, ATDC Sdn Bhd, Mashhor Foods Sdn Bhd and Aisha Automation Company were honoured in the appreciation category.
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah (L), the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, presenting the award to Dato Paduka Ampuan Hj Mohd Yassin Ampuan Salleh of Timbertech Sdn Bhd during the 2012 National SME Award ceremony at International Convention Centre in Berakas. Picture: BT/Saifulizam
The silver and bronze awards consisted of cash prizes, a trophy and a certificate of accreditation.
According to a MIPR press release, the ceremony was jointly organised by the ministry and the Brunei Economic Development Board and will be held every two years in conjunction with the National Day.
Also present at the event were His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik, ministers, deputy ministers, permanent secretaries and their deputies, ambassadors, senior government and private sector officials.
-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times
