If brand positioning is key to building brand equity, Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SICCI)'s gala dinner in conjunction with its 95th Anniversary, over achieved its positioning objectives. Complete with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Mr. Heng Swee Keat as guest-of-honour, packed house with Indian business community, phenomenal performance by the child prodigy Lydian Nadhaswaram at the opulent Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.
Winners of the prestigious SICCI Entrepreneur Awards 2019 were announced and a total of 8 awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award, were presented to ten recipients at the ceremony attended by more than 700 guests.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Ameerali R. Jumabhoy, of the Jumabhoy clan – the clan behind Scotts Holdings – one of Singapore's early property giants. Jumabhoy headed Scotts Holdings, that built Singapore’s first shopping mall in 1982, for 14 years. He had also led business delegations to 22 countries across Asia, Africa and Europe including from Singapore.
In his speech the DPM spoke on innovation and internationalisation as key ways in which Singapore has overcome its constraints and grown. He encouraged companies to expand beyond our island nation to India, South Asia and further. DPM further added, "Besides seeking new opportunities locally and abroad, I would like to encourage the SICCI and its members to continue giving back to society".
Established in 1924 as the Indian Merchants Association, SICCI is one of the three ethnic chambers in Singapore with over 700 members. It is one of the oldest trade associations in Singapore. DPM spoke of Indian pioneers such as Narayana Pillai who played a part in the wider society in Singapore as well.
The 10 recipients were presented with awards under varied categories.
Jagdish Prasad Jaiswal – Established Entrepreneur Award
Shailesh Naik – Promising Entrepreneur Award
Jayavarman Gnanansekaran -Young Entrepreneur Award
Four Special Awards that were presented were to:
Anil David for Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility
Mohana Kumar Pillai and Anurag Avula for Global Presence
Maneesh Tripathi for Best Innovation and Technology
Mohana Kumar Pillai and Sai Kishore Mamidipaka for Foreign-Owned Business
?Chairman, Dr T. Chandroo spoke of SICCI's humble beginnings in 1924, how it has evolved and distinguished itself as a progressive institution in Singapore. He spoke of promoting entrepreneurship amongst the youth in Singapore through – the Aspiring Entrepreneur Network; ?recognising women through – the SICCI Women Entrepreneur Network (WEN) and encouraging and helping business expand overseas- with a focus primarily on India- through an International Business Division (IBD) within the chamber.
Speaking on the announcement, Mr. Prasoon Mukherjee, Chairman designate of the chamber’s International Business Division (IBD) said, “This Division aims to streamline its assistance and processes to support the growth of committed companies by assisting with bottlenecks that are related to business expansion and set-up.”
The Awards initiative, now into its 16th year, has not only recognized and rewarded outstanding Indian entrepreneurs and businesses, but has also allowed these personalities to serve as role-models for fellow aspiring Singaporeans.
Piano prodigy Lydian Nadhaswaram and his sister performed at the event to thunderous applause.
