Secret Recipe is big winner at The Star Business Awards
KUALA LUMPUR: Secret Recipe Cakes & Cafe Sdn Bhd was the big winner at The Star Business Awards (SOBA) 2013, after the company earned the “Malaysian Business of the Year” award at the prestigious event last night.
Secret Recipe also walked away with two Platinum Awards under the “Best in Marketing” and “Best Brand” categories.
Cleanpro Express Sdn Bhd and Serba Dinamik Sdn Bhd, meanwhile, bagged the “Rising Star” and “Entrepreneur of the Year” awards, respectively.
Noteworthy also was Sydney Cake House Sdn Bhd, which received a special mention.
Other Platinum Award winners were GA International Group Sdn Bhd and Kinsanuri Sdn Bhd, which bagged the accolades under the “Best in CSR” and “Best Employer” categories, respectively.
A total of 17 awards were given out. The event, which was held at The Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur, saw over 400 guests from various companies and organisations attending.
This year, the awards were announced in May offering two broad categories – the Top-Of-The-Class Awards and Outstanding Achievement Awards.
Categories under the Top-Of-The-Class Awards comprise the Best in Marketing, Best Brand, Best in CSR, Best Green Initiative, Best Employer, Best Innovation and Best Global Market awards.
Categories under the Outstanding Achievement Awards include the Rising Star, Entrepreneur of the Year and Malaysian Business of the Year awards.
The awards entered its fourth year and was open to local enterprises that were not part of a multinational or listed group, and incorporated in Malaysia with foreign equity not exceeding 50%. The submission deadline was Aug 26.
All the categories except the Malaysian Business Of the Year were open to nominations.
The most prestigious award, the Malaysian Business of the Year, is awarded to the company that is generally the best in all areas.
A total of 75 entries were received from 53 companies for SOBA 2013.
The judging of applications was carried out in September, with the panel of judges comprising professionals and key leaders from various business associations and organisations, and chambers of commerce.
SOBA pays tribute to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) striving to carve a niche for themselves in the world of business. The awards aim to inspire and drive Malaysian enterprises towards excellence and outstanding achievement.
Star Publications (M) Bhd chairman Tan Sri Dr Fong Chan Onn said SOBA was one of the country’s most prestigious awards.
“It’s a glamorous event that the business community is always looking forward to,” he said, adding that winners at the event should use it as an opportunity to showcase their ability to the world.
Star Publications (M) Bhd acting group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai said SMEs were important to the Malaysian economy.
The awards are organised by The Star with Export-Import Bank of Malaysia Bhd as presenter. It is supported by Bursa Malaysia and audited by BDO.
The Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur is the official hotel partner, Red Tomato the official Chinese newspaper and 988FM and RedFM the official radio stations
