Asia Business Leaders Award 2005

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Press Coverage

Bernama
November 09, 2005 21:58 PM

Francis Yeoh Is CEO Of The Year

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 9 (Bernama) -- YTL Corporation Bhd's managing director, Tan Sri Francis Yeoh was chosen as Malaysia Chief Executive Officer of the Year at the Fourth Asia Business Leader Awards (ABLA) held here, Wednesday.

The first to take the Malaysia CEO award, a category introduced this year, Yeoh's win is a recognition of his vision and ability to steer his company successfully in this country as well as in the global market place.

Held for the first time in Kuala Lumpur, the ABLA event was organised by CNBC Asia Pacific, the global provider of business news and information.

Meanwhile, chairman of Hainan Airlines, Chen Feng received the Flagship Asia Business Leader of the Year Award for his successful steering of his company into one of the fastest growing airlines in China.

Hanatour's chief executive officer (CEO), Sang Hwan Park, received Asia Innovator of the Year Award while Hindalco Industries' managing director, Debo Bhattacharya was named as Asia Corporate Citizen of the Year.

Meanwhile, Asset Investors Co Ltd's president and CEO, Takehiko Wakayama was chosen as Asia CEO's Choice of the Year based on a poll conducted with top executives throughout the Asia Pacific region.

The award was presented by Minister of Transport, Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy.

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Xinhua

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 9 (Xinhuanet) -- A Chinese business leader received a title of "Asia Business Leader of the Year" here on Wednesday rated by CNBC Asia Pacific, a service of the NBC Universal and Dow Jones of the United States.
Chen Feng, Chairman of China's Hainan Airlines, was granted the flagship award presented by Malaysian Transport Minister Chan KongChoy at Hilton Hotel here when CNBC Asia Pacific announced the winners of the 4th Asia Business Leader Awards (ABLA).

Chen was the first Chinese businessman who was granted this title in recognition of "his ability to retain loyal customers, inspire and motivate his staff and steer his company to becoming one of the fastest growing airlines in China".

"This prize does not belong to himself, it belongs to his airlines and colleagues, belongs to the epoch of China's reform and opening up to the outside world," he told Xinhua after he received the award.

"The grand prize is also a honor to Chinese and represents thearrival of the times of Chinese people," he said.

ABLA was created in 2001. It is the region's significant award programs of its kind that honors and recognizes the most outstanding businessmen.

The other ABLA 2005 awards include "Malaysia CEO of the Year", "Asia Innovator of the Year", "Asia Corporate Citizen of the Year","Asia CEOs' Choice of the Year".

"Malaysia CEO of the Year" went to Francis Yeoh, managing director of YTL Corporation Berhad for his vision and ability to steer his company successfully in hin his home country and in the global market.

"Asia Innovator of the Year" was granted to Sang Hwan Park, CEOof Hanatour of the Republic of Korea; "Asia Corporate Citizen of the Year" was granted to Debu Bhattacharya, managing director of Hindalco Industries of India. "Asia CEOs' Choice of the Year" chose Takehiko Wakayama, president and CEO of Asset Investors Co.Ltd. Enditem

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New Straits Times
November 10 2005

Francis Yeoh named Malaysia's CEO of the Year

YTL Corp Bhd's managing director Tan Sri Francis Yeoh Sock Ping has been named Malaysia's CEO of the Year at the fourth Asia Business Leader Awards (ABLA) in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

The ABLA is a regional award that recognises Asia's outstanding chief executive officers (CEOs) who have demonstrated superior leadership skills in managing highly successful businesses in their respective countries or in Asia.

The title was presented to Yeoh as a recognition for his vision and ability to steer his company successfully in his home country and in the global marketplace.

Other finalists from Malaysia include managing director of Selangor Dredging Bhd Teh Lip Kim, executive director of Uchi Technologies Bhd Edward Kao Te-Pei, executive director of Powertek Bhd Ong Peng Su and chief executive officer of Top Glove Corp Lim Wee Chai.

The Malaysia CEO of the year award was specially designed for ABLA 2005 to recognise excellence in Malaysian leadership as CEOs here continue to lead and grow their business in a competitive international environment.

Yeoh said winning the award was good for the company and will boost its staff morale that has kept YTL's compounded growth rate since listing over 50 per cent.

He said YTL's investors can bank on its long-term growth namely in its concession contracts in the region.

Meanwhile, the Asia Business Leader of the Year was awarded to Chen Feng, chairman of Hainan Airlines for successfully steering his company into one of the fastest growing airlines in China.

ABLA 2005 was jointly presented by CNBC, Malaysia Airlines, Oracle and Heidrick & Struggles.

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The Star
November 10 2005

Francis Yeoh Wins CEO of the Year

CNBC Asia Pacific named YTL Corp Bhd managing director Tan Sri Francis Yeoh Malaysia CEO of the Year at the 4th Asia Business Leader Awards (ABLA) ceremony in Kuala Lumpur last night.

This award is specially created for ABLA 2005 to recognise excellence in Malaysian leadership in leading and structuring their businesses into international competency.

Yeoh, who received the award from Malaysia Airlines chairman Datuk Munir Majid, was recognised for his vision and ability to steer his company successfully, not only in Malaysia but also in the global marketplace. Yeoh said he was happy to be nominated and humbled by the win because there are "so many great CEOs out there".

Meanwhile, China's Hainan Airlines Chairman Chen Feng received the flagship Asia Business Leader of the Year award.

Chen was acknowledged for his ability to retain loyal customers, inspire and motivate his staff and steer his company in becoming one of the fastest growing airlines in China.

CNBC also presented the Asia Innovator of the Year award to Hanatour cheif executive officer Sang Hwan Park for his achievements in new product development and groundbreaking business processes, business models and strategies. The Asia Corporate Citizen of the Year award went to Hindalco Industries managing director Debu Bhattacharya for his outstanding contribution to the arts, education, environment and community development.

Asia CEO's Choice of the Year, awarded to Asset Investors Co Ltd president and chief executive officer Takehiko Wakayama, was determined through a poll conducted among top executives throughout the region.

CNBC Asia Pacific president and chief executive officer Alexander P. Brown said the ABLA recognised successful local business leaders who had demonstrated dynamic leadership and effective management as they steered their companies towards continued growth.

"I congratulate all the winners and finalists who have made it after a stringent elimination process that saw the number of finalists come down to 37 from a list of over 6,500 companies across the region. That is an achievement in itself," he said.