About the Awards
The ASEAN Inclusive Business (IB) Awards 2025 highlights companies with business models that deliver profits while creating social impact for low-income and economically challenged communities.
Awardees gain regional recognition, visibility, and networking opportunities with international partners, while benchmarking their inclusive business practices against peers.
The Awards ceremony will take place on:
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Date: 11 September 2025
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Venue: Sunway Resort Hotel, Sunway City, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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In conjunction with: The Eighth ASEAN Inclusive Business Forum (11–12 September 2025)
Organised by Malaysia’s Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development (MECD), with the ASEAN Secretariat, ESCAP, and OECD.
What is Inclusive Business?
Inclusive Business integrates people at the Base of the Pyramid (BoP) – those with limited access to goods, services, or livelihood opportunities – into a company’s value chain as suppliers, distributors, retailers, employees, or customers.
Examples include:
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Sourcing raw materials from smallholder farmers
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Selling affordable goods to low-income communities
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Enabling local micro-retailers to distribute products
Why Apply?
Award recipients will receive:
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Regional recognition at the ASEAN Inclusive Business Awards 2025
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Visibility as an ASEAN good practice example
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Networking and international contact-building opportunities
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Travel sponsorship:
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3 nights’ accommodation in Kuala Lumpur (10–13 September 2025)
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Round-trip economy airfare
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A booth at the ASEAN IB Forum Showcase
A total of ten companies will be recognised across ASEAN. From these, two will also be selected for Special Awards in the categories of Inclusivity and Sustainability, based on additional sections of the IB application form.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
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Be headquartered in an ASEAN country, with commercial/operational presence in ASEAN
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Be a private for-profit enterprise
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Have at least 55% ASEAN ownership
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Integrate BoP in core operations (as suppliers, distributors/retailers, employees, and/or customers)
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Demonstrate commercial viability
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Comply with labour and environmental regulations
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Not fall under excluded business categories (e.g. weapons, gambling, exploitative labour, hazardous chemicals, etc.)
Special Awards criteria:
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Inclusivity Award: Strong systemic impact on BoP groups (e.g. women, rural poor, persons with disabilities)
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Sustainability Award: Strong ESG practices across environment, social, and governance dimensions
Application Process
Interested companies should submit the following documents to BEDB International Relations & Cooperation (IRC) at international@bedb.gov.bn by 3rd September 2025:
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Completed Application Form (Annex 1)
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Cover letter supporting the application and relevance to inclusive business
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Company profile with contact details and person in charge
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Copy of company registration and representative’s identity card
📎 Download Forms and Guidelines:
Applicants who wish to be considered for the Special Awards must also complete the additional sections within the application form. Question 18 for the Inclusivity Award (systemic change and inclusivity impact) and Question 8 for the Sustainability Award (ESG practices).
After Submission
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BEDB will review applications and assist shortlisting businesses.
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Final selection will be made by the ASEAN IB Awards organiser based on eligibility and criteria.
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Selected Brunei representatives will be notified and supported by BEDB in preparing for the forum.
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All selected Brunei applicants will be invited for a sharing session with BEDB after the event.
Contact
For queries or further information, please contact:
📧 international@bedb.gov.bn