AWARDS PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF YOUNG EXCELLENCE AWARD (YEA) 2021
SPEECH BY CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG
DURING THE AWARDS PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF
YOUNG EXCELLENCE AWARD (YEA) 2021
8TH JANUARY 2022
THE SHIP CAMPUS, BATU KAWAN
Dr. Gwee Sai Ling
General Manager of Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC)
Dato’ Seri Hong Yeam Wah
President of Penang Chinese Chamber Commerce (PCCC)
Mr. Lee Toong Leon
PCCC General Committee Member cum Young Entrepreneur Section (YES) Chairman
Mr. Goh Hun Guan
PCCC YES Vice Chairman cum Young Excellence Award (YEA) Organizing Chairman
Distinguished guests
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen
Good Morning and Salam Sejahtera.
Firstly, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneur Section (PCCC YES) for inviting me to today's awards presentation ceremony for the Young Excellence Award (YEA) 2021.
Congratulations to PCCC YES and the Penang State EXCO for Youth and Sports for your collaborative efforts in organizing this meaningful programme. I am pleased that this programme is implemented to encourage and recognise the fighting spirits of our young entrepreneurs and frontliners who continue to forge ahead despite the unprecedented Covid-19 challenges.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Entrepreneurs and frontliners are critical components of any country's economy as they supplement the government's contribution to the provision of goods and services to the people. Entrepreneurs who think outside the box can also contribute significantly to the country’s development of technology and solutions that will have a positive and long-term impact, especially in the post-pandemic world.
As such, I am glad to be informed that this inaugural YEA 2021 received nearly 300 submissions, where 68 of them emerged as winners. There are a total of 15 award categories, namely the Business Performance Award, Pandemic Business Growth Award, Technology Entrepreneur Award, Green Initiative Award, Brand Award, Social Media & Influencer Award, Woman Entrepreneur Award, Rookie Million Achievement Award, E-commerce Award, E-sports Award, Pandemic Volunteer Award, Pandemic Leadership Award, Pandemic Professional Award, University Leadership Award, and University Athlete Award.
Through this, we can see that Penang is endowed with talented young entrepreneurs who play vital roles in economic productivity during this pandemic period. With a future reimagined, I am confident that Penang's youth, particularly young entrepreneurs, have the ability to strive for business excellence in the fourth industrial revolution, which will see a convergence of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), and many others. Ultimately, it presents a huge opportunity for these technologies to thrive in Penang and drive our economy forward.
Alongside this digital future, the YEA award also demonstrates that our youth in Penang are concerned and enthusiastic about sustainable solutions and volunteerism. This will help in nurturing future Penang leaders as they also require critical yet analytical thinking skills to help them adapt to this rapidly changing world.
Dear all,
Despite its negative consequences, the Covid-19 pandemic has aided in the rapid advancement of industries across the board and has accelerated technological innovation globally. It has also undoubtedly provided Penang with additional impetus to achieve the goals of the Penang2030 vision, which is to transform Penang into a digital and smart state.
With the same aim, the Penang State Government, through the Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC), launched a number of initiatives in 2021, including the Youth Entrepreneurship Forum 2021, the PYDC Essential Skills Programme, Web Design Competition 2021 "Empowering Young Digital Talent,", 3-Day Digital Marketing Course and many others.
Taking this opportunity, I would like to reaffirm that the State Government will continue to implement as well as support programmes and efforts targeted at developing and honing the digital skills of all Penangites particularly, our youth.
With that said, I hope that more collaborative measures amongst all stakeholders, including government agencies, private businesses, educational institutions, and others, will be undertaken to bridge the digital divide and take Penang to greater heights.
On that final note, it is with great pleasure I officiate the awards presentation ceremony of the Young Excellence Award (YEA) 2021, and congratulations to all the winners for your remarkable contribution and performances.
Thank you.