00:00It was a delightful evening last Tuesday, as the Star Outstanding Business Awards or
00:13Sober Prestige event for 2024 kicked off in grand style at the Hokkaido table at the Exchange
00:20TRX's Aurum Theatre.
00:22Around 70 guests, comprising Sober Past winners, sponsors and strategic partners, gathered
00:28for a business networking session for small and medium-sized enterprises or SMEs.
00:34Also gracing the event were Star Media Group Berhad, Group Chief Executive Officer Chan
00:39Seng Fat and Bursa Malaysia Berhad Origination and Listing Director Leong See Ming.
00:45When we launched Sober in 2009, we had a vision, that is to recognise and elevate Malaysia's
00:56outstanding small and medium enterprises.
01:00See all of you here today, I can reaffirm that our vision has materialised.
01:07To this gathering, we hope to reconnect, form new bonds that go beyond mere business, fostering
01:16a new generation of thought leaders and community leaders.
01:21I would like to extend my gratitude to our amazing sponsor NEMNE, Credit Guarantee Corporation
01:28Malaysia Berhad CGC, PG&E Logistics Group Sendre Berhad, RHB Bank Berhad and our official
01:37trade promotion partner, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation, MATREC.
01:44Thanks to your unwavering support, Sober has successfully acknowledged and celebrated the
01:51achievement of over 400 outstanding companies in the past 15 years.
01:56This year's theme, Breaking Horizons, resonates deeply with us at Bursa Malaysia.
02:02Malaysia's SMEs play a crucial role in driving Malaysian economic growth and creating employment
02:08opportunities.
02:10How can Sober help companies to go for IPO?
02:14The awards given to Sober is to recognise non-listed Malaysian businesses for their
02:19contribution to the economy.
02:22Sober pays tribute to SMEs striving to carve a niche for themselves in the world of business.
02:28These awards aim to inspire and drive Malaysian enterprises towards excellence and achieving
02:34outstanding achievements.
02:37With the hope that those who are awarded Sober look forward towards a listing of Bursa Malaysia
02:42in the near future, and I'm sure that I'll see a lot of you in the near future.
02:48To mark the award's 15th anniversary, the prestige event introduced the Sober Council,
02:53which comprises the chief judges, sponsors and ambassadors who are past Sober winners.
03:00A panel discussion and a pitching session by 10 entrepreneurs were also held to explore
03:06business, investment and partnership opportunities.
03:10Other attendees at the event were SMG Chief Business Officer Lydia Wang, Credit Guarantee
03:16Corporation Malaysia Berhad, or CGC Business Development and Products Head, Muhammad Azman
03:22Muhammad Taufiq, PKT Logistics Group, Corporate Affairs Head and Strategy Executive Assistant
03:29to Group Chief Executive and Managing Director Korin Ching, and RHB Bank Berhad, SME Banking
03:36Head Yip Hao Nang.
03:40Sober 2024 is organised by SMG, with CGC, PKT Logistics and RHB Bank as the main sponsors
03:48and Matrade as the official trade promotion partner.
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