This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on July 2, 2018 - July 8, 2018
TO commemorate the 55th year since its formation, the British Malaysia Chamber of Commerce (BMCC) is introducing its inaugural BMCC Business Excellence Awards (BEA) to recognise the best of individuals and companies who contributed to the advancement of bilateral trade between the UK and Malaysia.
The high-profile awards ceremony will take place on July 12, in conjunction with the BMCC’s 55th anniversary celebration, at the JW Marriot in Kuala Lumpur.
The prestigious event is expected to gather over 500 top-level business leaders and senior government ministers for a gala dinner to celebrate commerce and to acknowledge the achievements of some of the very best British and Malaysian businesses.
There are seven categories of awards under the BEA. They are Investing in People, UK Investor of the Year in Malaysia, Technology and Innovation, Diversity, UK-Malaysia Business Personality of the Year, Outstanding UK-Malaysia Partnership, and Malaysia Investor of the Year in the UK.
“What better way to mark the BMCC turning 55 than by celebrating the success and achievements of a group of extraordinary individuals and businesses? British business in Malaysia has continued to grow its presence here and Malaysian companies have continued to win recognition for a successful track record of investment in the UK,” says the British High Commissioner to Kuala Lumpur, Victoria Treadell.
To show its support for two-way investments between Malaysia and the UK, as well as mark its salute to business excellence, the British High Commission has taken on the role of supporting partner for the event.
“2018 has been a year of great change for the chamber. After 55 years operating as a society, we are finally now a registered company limited by guarantee. The sky is literally the limit now and our first Business Excellence Awards is a testament to this ambition,” says BMCC executive director Aurelia Silva.
The awards ceremony, she says, is designed to be a grand affair that the BMCC hopes “will one day serve as a golden standard for recognising individual and business excellence in Malaysia”.
Set up in 1963, the BMCC has taken on the task of advancing bilateral trade between the UK and Malaysia. It has helped the UK to become a leading investor in Malaysia with an estimated cumulative investment of £20 billion over the last 30 years.
In return, Malaysia is now the UK’s second largest trading partner in Asean, with many UK-based companies having benefitted from the BMCC’s facilitative role through its wide range of professional services and business networking events.
Also taking part in the BMCC’s historic anniversary bash cum awards night this year is Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp (HSBC) Malaysia, whose group managing director and country head of commercial banking Andrew Sill also helms the BMCC as its chairman. It is taking on the role of BEA’s title sponsor this year.
Joining HSBC Malaysia as co-sponsors are GIH London Chrysalis, the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), EcoWorld International Bhd (EWI) and Petrofac Ltd.
Companies have submitted their nominations for the categories. Winners will receive a trophy made of solid pewter that is custom-made by Royal Selangor, according to the BCMM.
The Edge Malaysia is the official print media partner of the BEA, while business station BFM 89.9 is the official radio partner. The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), British Airways, and British car makers Aston Martin and Mini are also partners for the event.
For more details on nominations and table reservations, visit www.bmcc.org.my.
The Edge is the media partner for the British Malaysia Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards
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