Angsana Maison Souvannaphoum and Animal Doctors International were two of the leading businesses to be recognized at the 2023 Lao Responsible Business Awards for their commitment to the well-being of their workforce.
Responsible Business Conduct (RBC), also known as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) are internationally proven approaches that facilitate successful organizations. The Responsible Business Awards are designed to promote these practices in order to support the development of a successful Lao economy.
Hosted by the British Embassy in Laos, the awards ceremony took place on the evening of 21 September to celebrate and recognize businesses in Laos that have demonstrated a strong commitment to responsible business practices. Participants included representatives from the 17 shortlisted businesses, the Lao National Chambers of Commerce and Industry, international business chambers, embassies, and business leaders from across the country.
First launched in 2021, the annual awards are the brainchild of the Canadian Embassy to Laos and Civitas Consulting. They have grown rapidly with additional partners coming on board each year to help organise, support and judge the awards. Canada continues to support this important initiative, as both sponsor and organizer.
Announcing the winners of the small business category (businesses with fewer than 25 employees), Sheng Lee, President of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry recognized ‘the great work and commitment the finalists had shown to investing in their people and demonstrating how this had had a positive influence on their business performance’. Animal Doctors International took first place in this category, with BIPO Services in second and The Green taking third.
In the large business category (with 25 or more staff), the competition was even more fierce with Ms. Ina Marčiulionytė, Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation to Laos praising ‘the breadth of inspirational examples of good business practice and the commitment of the finalists to demonstrating how doing business well makes good business sense.’ The large business category was won by Angsana Maison Souvannaphoum, with this Luang Prabang based hotel demonstrating an impressive commitment to workforce wellbeing through their ‘8 Pillars of Wellbeing’ approach to staff engagement. Krungsri Leasing followed closely in second place, with Lao Toyota Services in third.
Organized by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Austcham), the British Business Group in Laos and the European Chamber of Commerce and Industry with support from the Office of the Embassy of Canada to Laos, the awards are designed to raise the profile of businesses committed to responsible business practices. The awards hope to demonstrate that good business practice makes good business sense and to inspire more businesses to follow in the footsteps of these industry leaders.
The organizers would like to thank all the businesses that participated, the panel of judges who evaluated the array of applications received, and the following sponsors who made the event possible: the Embassies of Britain, Canada and the EU , Civitas Consulting and Austcham.
