SME Corp. Malaysia announced the top 10 winners of the Enterprise 50 Award (E50) 2017 at the Malaysian International Trade and Exhibition Center (MITEC). The announcement was made by YBhg. Datuk (Dr.) Hafsah Hashim, Chief Executive Officer of SME Corp. Malaysia, at the Enterprise 50 Award Press Conference Session. More than 500 companies with 4 and 5 star ratings under the SME Competitiveness Rating for Enhancement Program (SCORE) organized by SME Corp.
Malaysia were invited to submit nominations, of which only 50 of the best companies were evaluated by Deloitte and a panel of professional judges to receive this award. These companies have undergone a rigorous assessment process, based on various parameters, among others, including management processes; innovation, market strategy, technology adoption; export revenue; capital investment, training and research.
With the theme of "Celebrating Malaysia's Enterprising Spirit", the E50 Award 2017 this year celebrates its 20th anniversary since it was first introduced in 1997. Through close collaboration between SME Corp. Malaysia, Deloitte Malaysia and strategic partners such as MIDF, TM, RHB as well as Media Prima and Malaysia SME as media partners, this prestigious award is back in recognizing the best companies in Malaysia. The E50 Award is also seen as a platform that fosters entrepreneurial spirit and encourages SMEs to drive excellence as well as compete for recognition that can boost their business status.
Similar to the E50 Award edition last year, the E50 Women Entrepreneur Award recognizes women entrepreneurs who have excelled in managing their own business as they inspire other women to excel in business too.
In the challenging economic environment, the E50 award recipients have proven the ability to remain competitive and resilient where nearly 70% of this year's award recipients have already penetrated the export market. SME Corp. Malaysia is optimistic that this number will continue to increase over time which is in line with the Budget 2018 announcement, taking into account the current needs of SMEs including financing, export promotion and specific needs of SMEs according to sectors including tourism, transportation, green technology, halal and creative industries.
Harta Maintenance Sdn Bhd were announced first place for the E50 Award this year. However, other top 9 are Builtech Project Management Sdn Bhd, Big Onion Food Caterer Sdn Bhd, CLPG Packaging Industries Sdn Bhd, Ever Delicious Food Industries Sdn Bhd, MKRS Bumi (M) Sdn Bhd, Respack Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, The Origin Foods Sdn Bhd, Tidy Non-Wovens Sdn Bhd and xPrint Sdn Bhd.
To date, 2,061 companies have been nominated for this award where 695 have been selected as the award recipients. Among the award recipients, 60 companies have been listed on Bursa Malaysia with 46 on the Main Board and 14 in the ACE Market.
Being the highlight of the SME Annual Showcase (SMIDEX) & SME Conference 2017, the award recipients were celebrated in an Award Dinner graced by YB Datuk Haji Ahmad bin Haji Maslan, Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry. In addition to various benefits and rewards, recipients are automatically nominated for the Industry Excellence Award (AKI) organized by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) and subsequently received wide recognition, support and business networking among the E50 alumni.
Among the distinguished guests who attended the E50 Award Dinner is Datuk Seri J. Jayasiri, Secretary General of MITI; Tan Sri Ir. (Dr) Mohamed Al Amin Abdul Majid, Chairman, SME Corp. Malaysia; YBhg. Datuk Tan Theng Hooi, Country Managing Partner, Deloitte Malaysia and YBhg. Datuk (Dr) Hafsah Hashim, Chief Executive, SME Corp. Malaysia.
