Apart from distinguishing, celebrating and motivating Lao champions at the national level, other key objectives of the ABA are to bring those innovative and market-driven SMEs that show real potential of becoming regional players in their respective industries to the spotlight, and to serve as a medium for ASEAN-wide business networking and peer-to-peer learning. With the ABA Laos, we seek to unlock a creative and encouraging competitive spirit that has everyone not just wanting to win, but wanting to compete.

I have attended many award events in the past few years but none like ABA. I am so humble to have been selected the overall ASEAN winner in the category ‘SME Excellence – Innovation’. This was really a huge piece of encouragement for our team to move forward. I would like to thank my team and all the supporters from LNCCI and GIZ. The opportunity to network and meet up with top entrepreneurs and companies in the ASEAN region is invaluable. Immediately at the Gala Night Dinner in Singapore, I was offered the opportunity to expand our current business, a chance to explore business with potential partners from other ASEAN countries who were also award winners.