SINGAPORE, Sept. 9, 2025 -- The spotlight shone on Asia's boldest leaders and visionary enterprises at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) 2025 Regional Edition, where industry trailblazers were celebrated for their ability to embrace disruption, spark innovation, and deliver sustainable growth in the new economy. Organized by leading regional NGO Enterprise Asia, the prestigious awards ceremony took place on 5 September 2025 at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands Singapore.

The awards ceremony was graced by the presence of Mr. Ismail Mohamad Bkri, Deputy High Commissioner of Malaysia to Singapore; and Mr. Thomas Ardian Siregar, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Singapore.

With the theme 'Showcasing Future-Ready Enterprises', the APEA 2025 Regional Edition honored outstanding businesses and leaders from across Asia who embody resilience, foresight, and strategic agility. These entrepreneurs and enterprises have proven their ability to future-proof their operations amid rapid technological and economic shifts, setting the pace for the region's business community.

Over 100 nominees underwent a rigorous judging process by a distinguished panel of experts, who assessed them on operational excellence, leadership, business performance, and long-term impact. The crème de la crème of Asia's entrepreneurial landscape emerged as winners across four categories: Master Entrepreneur, Inspirational Brand, Fast Enterprise, and Corporate Excellence.

Since 2007, the Awards has been organized all over the region with past recipients comprising Mr. Kwek Leng Beng of Hong Leong Group Singapore, Thailand's Supaluck Umpujh of The Mall Group, Mainland China's Xu RongMao of Shimao Group, Hong Kong's Francis Lui of Galaxy Entertainment Group, TTC Vietnam's Dang Van Thanh, Indonesia's Hary Tanoesoedibjo of MNC Group, India's Adi Godrej of Godrej Group, the Philippines' Manuel Villar of Vista Land, and Cuckoo Malaysia's Hoe Kian Choon.

Enterprise Asia's President Richard Tsang opened the ceremony with a powerful message, underscoring that the enterprises thriving amid disruption are those unafraid to challenge conventions, harness transformative technologies, and deliver impact beyond profits. He stressed that today's most visionary organizations recognize the deep links between economies, societies, and the environment, and are boldly shaping a business landscape that is both sustainable and inclusive.

This year's distinguished awardees comprise inspiring leaders under the Master Entrepreneur category such as Ma Ya Fen, Founder & CEO of KOI Cafe Group(S) Pte Ltd and KOI The Singapore Pte Ltd; and Tan Soo Phor (A.K.A. Jenny Chuang), Founder & Managing Director of Malaysia's Sydney Cake House Sdn Bhd, recognized for steering their organizations to global prominence with vision and resilience.

Awardees under the Inspirational Brand category include the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) and Dubai Land Department. Rising stars such as Indonesia's Evowaste Technology by PT Kindred Group Indonesia and Singapore's Witthal International Pte Ltd took home the Fast Enterprise Award, while industry titans including Thailand's Central Retail Corporation Public Company Limited and Hong Kong's Swiss-Belhotel International are celebrated under the Corporate Excellence category.

Prior to the APEA 2025 Regional Edition, the Asia Economic Forum (AEF) 2025 took place earlier in the day, convening over 300 C-suite executives, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders from across Asia.

Under the theme 'Building Future-Ready Enterprises for Sustainable Growth', the Forum provided a dynamic platform for leaders to exchange ideas, explore transformative strategies, and share actionable insights on navigating disruption, harnessing innovation, and embedding sustainability into core business models. Designed to address the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly evolving economic landscape, the Forum empowered participants with the knowledge and networks needed to drive long-term growth and resilience.

At the Forum's opening, Tan Sri. Dr. Fong Chan Onn, Chairman of Enterprise Asia, emphasized the urgency for enterprises to adapt to technological disruption while anchoring their growth strategies in inclusivity and sustainability. He called on leaders to rethink traditional models, collaborate across sectors, and commit to building resilient enterprises capable of thriving in an unpredictable global economy.

The Forum featured distinguished speakers such as Eleonore Dachicourt, BNP Paribas Wealth Management's Managing Director and Head of Sustainability of Asia; Esther An, Chief Sustainability Officer of City Developments Limited (CDL); Steven Yates, Director & Global Chief Commercial and Technology Officer of Alumni Services; alongside other esteemed experts who shared forward-looking perspectives on building enterprises that are agile, innovative, and sustainable.

The AEF 2025 and APEA 2025 Regional Edition are supported by the Business Indonesia Singapore Association (BISA), Hong Kong Young Industrialists Council Limited (HKYIC), International Chamber of Commerce - Hong Kong (ICC-HK), Kuala Lumpur Malay Chamber of Commerce (KLMCC), Myanmar Business Executives Association (MBE), Malaysian Alliance of Corporate Directors (MACD), and Singapore-Thai Chamber of Commerce (STCC), with PR Newswire as the Official News Release Distribution Partner, and Dailywire.asia and SME Magazine as the Media Partners.

AWARD RECIPIENT LIST OF THE ASIA PACIFIC ENTERPRISE AWARDS (APEA) 2025 REGIONAL EDITION

About Asia Economic Forum (AEF)

Launched in 2012, the Asia Economic Forum serves as an open platform for thought leaders, policymakers, and C-level executives to unite and shape regional initiatives to improve the well-being of communities. Please visit https://economicforum.asia/ for more information.

About Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards

Launched in 2007, the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards is the region's most prestigious award for outstanding entrepreneurship, continuous innovation, and sustainable leadership. The Award provides a platform for companies and governments to recognize entrepreneurial excellence, hence spurring greater innovation, fair business practices, and growth in entrepreneurship. As a regional award, it groups together leading entrepreneurs as a powerful voice for entrepreneurship and serves as a by-invitation-only networking powerhouse. The program has grown to encompass 16 countries/ regions and markets all over Asia. For further information, please visit www.apea.asia.