A New Milestone in Regional Cooperation
The IMT-GT Regional Business Excellence Awards (RBEA) 2025 debuted in Kuala Lumpur on 26 September, hosted by the IMT-GT Joint Business Council (JBC) Malaysia and officiated by YAB Dato’ Sri Fadillah Yusof, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia.
The awards, independently audited by Baker Tilly, set a new benchmark for credibility and transparency in regional business recognition. Endorsed by the governments of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, the RBEA reinforces IMT-GT’s vision of embedding business excellence into its growth agenda.
Recognising Excellence Across Nine Categories
Nine categories spotlighted the region’s growth priorities:
- Technology & Digital Transformation
- Infrastructure & Connectivity
- Trade & Investment
- Tourism & Cultural Heritage
- Agriculture Industry
- Halal Industry Leadership
- Green & Sustainability
- Excellence in Trade & Regional Market Expansion
- Leadership Growth
Each category reflects IMT-GT’s priority sectors where private-sector leadership is essential to achieving Vision 2036 and the Implementation Blueprint 2022–2026.
From Awards to Action
Unlike traditional award platforms, the RBEA connects winners and finalists directly to official working groups and corridor pipelines. This ensures recognition translates into tangible results, such as cross-border projects, new contracts, and regional investments.
Awardees also gain priority access to deal rooms with development partners like the Asian Development Bank (ADB), ICLEI and United Nations agencies. These channels are designed to fast-track achievements into negotiations, term sheets, and scalable projects across the region.
Aligning With Regional and Global Priorities
The Deputy Prime Minister emphasised that the awards align with Malaysia’s national policy thrusts, including the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030), and 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK-13). Collectively, these frameworks signal strong opportunities for investors and financiers.
Datuk Ir. Ts. Dr. Mahadi Mohamad, Director of JBC Malaysia, noted: The RBEA is not just about recognition. It is about creating jobs, accelerating sustainability, and turning regional policy into bankable projects that impact communities.
The second IMT-GT Regional Business Excellence Awards will return in September 2026. With the call to action “Arrive with metrics and a project; leave with partners and a plan,” the platform aims to strengthen its role as a driver of inclusive, sustainable, and cross-border growth.
