The Edge Singapore took home an award at the SGX Orb Awards on Oct 7, after receiving three nominations across two categories — the most nominations from a single publication.
The awards were launched by Singapore Exchange (SGX) in 2018 to enhance financial education and this paper has won at least one award every year since. Writer Samantha Chiew took The Hidden Gem win for her piece titled “Food Empire records robust growth; declares higher dividend on better outlook” (Issue 925, Mar 20).
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Also shortlisted under the same category was her story “IPS Securex resumes earnings growth, eyes new contracts from new markets” (Issue 924, Mar 13). The Hidden Gem award seeks to honour the best feature or analysis of an under-covered stock listed on SGX, covering a fresh angle that investors or analysts may have missed.
Tan Wang Cheow, founder and chairman of Food Empire, shared with Chiew how he started Food Empire, made it big in an unlikely market — Russia — and how he is next pushing into Vietnam, itself a notable coffee producer. Besides thanking Tan for sharing his story, Chiew would like to acknowledge Financial PR for arranging the interview, and her colleagues for their constant support and guidance. “I am also grateful to SGX for organising this award and recognising my stories,” says Chiew, who covers the F&B and retail sectors.
Meanwhile, The Edge Singapore writer Ng Qi Siang was also shortlisted for the Story of the Year. His piece titled “Rise of the digital redback” (Issue 942, July 20), was a deep dive into the implications of China’s e-Renminbi on international trade and world order.
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“I was very pleasantly surprised to be even shortlisted for this award as I am quite new to the media industry. I am grateful to SGX for considering and shortlisting the story, as well as everyone at The Edge Singapore for teaching me the ropes of this industry,” says Ng. He credits The Edge Singapore editors Chan Chao Peh and Goola Warden for their input and advice while planning the story.
Bernard Tong, CEO of The Edge Singapore and EdgeProp.sg, is very thankful to SGX for organising this annual awards, which helps to recognise the efforts put in by the financial media that, as a whole, is undergoing changes and facing off new challenges. “The Edge Singapore is proud to be part of this landscape and is ready to partner SGX to promote a more sophisticated and vibrant market ecosystem,” he says.
The award ceremony — attended by SGX’s top management — was held via web conferencing platform Webex amid Covid-19 restrictions that has disrupted economies and markets. At the event, SGX CEO Loh Boon Chye hopes this will be the only time this event is held virtually. “I hope to meet everyone next year,” he said.
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The Story of the Year award was picked up by Shiwen Yap of Venture Views, Ben Paul of The Business Times won for his column in the #Resilience category while The Visual Treat award went to Pamela On of CNA. Finally, financial literacy website The Fifth Person picked up the accolade for financial blogs or independent investment-related websites that empower investors.
On the judging panel this year were Charles Shi, dean’s chair professor of accounting and finance at NUS Business School; Goh Swee Chen, board member of CapitaLand, Singapore Airlines, Woodside Energy and Singapore Power, former chairman of Shell Companies; Jeremy Grant, a former Financial Times journalist and Lyndon Chao, managing director of ASIFMA’s Equities and Post Trade Division.
