SME businesses a major contributing factor to Thailand’s growing economy
Bangkok, September 26th 2014 – The BigChilli magazine and Bangkok Now (BNOW) officially announced today that Thailand’s very first Expat Entrepreneur Awards 2014 will take place on October 14th at the Rembrandt Hotel.
The Expat Entrepreneur Awards 2014 is aimed at highlighting the contribution that foreign-owned/managed companies make to Thailand’s economy. Companies established in Thailand by the country’s expatriate community will, for the first time, be recognized for their creativity, ingenuity, excellence and proven success.
The Expat Entrepreneur Awards 2014 ,which kicked off in February 2014 has received applications from over 80 expats engaged in various businesses nationwide including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Rayong and other provinces. Some of the businesses represented include online businesses, hotels, health, IT, environment, food and beverages, fashion and accessories, sports and others.
At the Young Presidents’ Organization’s (YPO) Insights ASEAN Summit held last week in Bangkok, Dr Surin Pitsuwan, former Secretary-General, ASEAN, urged governments to support policies and projects which will help private enterprise to be more viable. He added that the 2 million SME businesses in Thailand are a major contributing factor to the growing economy, making up 70-75% of the GDP.
“This award was created to recognize the efforts and successes of the expat community in Thailand,” said Colin Hastings, Publisher of The BigChilli, the city’s leading English language magazine for expatriates and internationally educated Thais. Colin is from the UK and has been a resident in Thailand for over 40 years.
“We have featured some incredible stories on expats and their businesses during the past 15 years and it’s time we acknowledge the contribution they have made to the Thai economy,” he added.
The accolades will be awarded in a variety of categories such as arts and culture, education, hospitality, manufacturing, sports and fitness and more.
Pacharee Pantoomano Pfirsch, founder of BNOW, Bangkok’s networking community group which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, said that she has had a fascinating opportunity to network with such a diverse group of dedicated expat professionals in Thailand over the years.
“Many of the expats in Thailand are involved in some of the most dynamic and creative businesses out there and this award is an opportunity to acknowledge them for their exceptional contribution to Thailand’s economy,” she said.
The judges for this award include Fred Mouawad, Chairman and CEO of Synergia One; Stanley Kang, Chairman of the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Thailand; Roy Howard, Chairman, Format & Partners and Kent Wiley, Management Consultant.
Nominees of the Expat Entrepreneur Awards 2014 will be judged on (a) originality of business concept, (b) effectiveness of marketing strategies and promotions, (c) job creation, (d) effectiveness of CSR campaigns, (e) growth potential, domestically and overseas, (f) overall impact of business in the marketplace and (g) YouTube video highlighting their business.
The awards will be presented at Rembrandt Hotel on October 14th and will be hosted by renowned journalist, media host and entrepreneur Andrew Biggs, a longtime expat resident of Thailand.
Among the sponsors for this event include Nok Air, Bumrungrad International Hospital, Tune Hotel, NIST International School and Rembrandt Hotel Net proceeds from this evening’s event will be donated to Operation Smile Thailand, which provides free surgeries to repair cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities for children throughout the country.
About The BigChilli
The Big Chilli company is a major publisher of lifestyle, business and educational magazines with a firmly established reputation for quality editorial and cutting edge design. First published in November 1999, The BigChilli is now the city’s leading English language magazine for expatriates and internationally educated Thais, with a monthly circulation of over 35,000 hard copies.
About Bangkok Now (BNOW)
BNOW, formed in 2003, provides a supportive network to professionals living and working in Bangkok. This Bangkok networking community group is predominantly made up of over 3000 expats and business owners with a focus to network and link the professional community.
For more details of the Expat Entrepreneur Award, click below:
EE Awards Promo video
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