Kuala Lumpur, 27 February 2025—The IMT-GT Joint Business Council Malaysia has officially launched the IMT-GT Business Excellence Awards 2025 (IMT-GT BEA), which recognises businesses across Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand for their innovation, leadership, and cross-border collaboration in driving regional economic growth.
The IMT-GT Joint Business Council has partnered with Red Hot Media (RHM) and MALAYSIA SME Media Brand, a collaboration that ensures a high-impact event that provides valuable insights, networking opportunities, and regional recognition for outstanding businesses.
The Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle
The Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) was established in 1993 to accelerate economic and social transformation in 32 provinces and states across the three countries. The IMT-GT Joint Business Council (JBC) serves as the private-sector arm of this initiative, bridging businesses with government policies to foster regional economic integration. The JBC champions private-sector-led growth, cross-border trade, and sustainable development within the IMT-GT Vision 2036 framework.
The awards align with Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2025, reinforcing efforts to strengthen economic integration and highlighting businesses setting new benchmarks in sustainability, trade, investment, and regional development by celebrating transformative achievements.
A Platform for Business Excellence
Datuk Ir. Ts. Dr Mahadi Mohamad, Director, IMT-GT Joint Business Council Malaysia, emphasised that the success of the IMT-GT region relies on dynamic businesses that drive innovation, create jobs, and contribute to sustainable development—a core philosophy of IMT-GT.
“The IMT-GT Business Excellence Awards 2025 serve as a platform to recognise these contributions while inspiring others to follow. The award honours businesses that have set new benchmarks through resilience, cross-border collaboration, and transformative leadership.”
Datuk Ir. Ts. Dr Mahadi Mohamad
“By recognising outstanding achievements, the IMT-GT Business Excellence Awards 2025 underscores the importance of innovation and collaboration in shaping Southeast Asia’s future,” added Mahadi.
“The Asian Development Bank (ADB) serves as a development advisor to IMT-GT to provide strategic insights to support private-sector growth in the region. While the public sector plays a crucial role as a facilitator, the private sector is the real driving force behind IMT-GT initiatives, so this is a unique and a very welcomed regional cooperation initiative.” Alfredo Perdiguero, Director of the Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination Division, Southeast Asia Department, ADB.
Scalability and Overall Impact
The IMT-GT Business Excellence Awards 2025 are open to SMEs, mid-cap companies, and public-listed corporations. The focus is on SMEs as the backbone of the regional economy, but larger enterprises that drive regional innovation and economic progress are also encouraged to participate.
The award categories align with business sectors across Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. Winners from each category will be selected through a rigorous regional evaluation process, which will consider achievements, scalability, and overall impact on the IMT-GT economic corridor.
Mahadi further highlighted that sustainability and ESG leadership are crucial in today’s business landscape and will also be assessed. “Companies must go beyond profit-making and embrace green practices, inclusivity, and ethical governance.”
Beyond Recognition: A Platform for Growth
IMT-GT BEA 2025 is more than just an accolade—it is a platform for long-term collaboration, empowering businesses, industry leaders, and policymakers to drive sustained economic growth in the region.
“Post-award programmes will support winners with mentorship, funding opportunities, and strategic business expansion initiatives. This is about building a thriving network of regional industry leaders,” said Wayne Lim, Founder of Malaysia SME & Group CCO of PUC Berhad.
Award Categories & Nomination Details
The IMT-GT Business Excellence Awards 2025 will honour achievements across key sectors that drive regional economic growth. Categories include Tourism & Cultural Heritage, which recognises initiatives that position the region as a premier tourism hub; Trade & Investment, which celebrates businesses that enhance cross-border economic collaboration; Infrastructure & Connectivity, which highlights advancements that strengthen regional integration; and Green Growth & Sustainability, which acknowledges businesses championing environmental responsibility and sustainable development.
The IMT-GT Business Excellence Awards 2025 nomination process is now open, with a submission deadline of 1 August 2025, 23:59 MYT. Interested businesses and individuals can submit their nominations via the IMT-GT Joint Business Council website, with a fee of RM1,000 per nomination. The awards will culminate in a high-profile gala dinner on Friday, 26 September 2025, bringing together government officials, business leaders, SMEs, and policymakers.
Discover how your business can be part of this transformative initiative. For more information, visit the IMT-GT Joint Business Council website or contact:
Red Hot Media | Alicia Lee | [email protected] | +6019-983-8875
