Alibaba.com hosted the grand finale of the KEL Award in Ho Chi Minh City on Nov. 14, celebrating the top B2B e-commerce sellers from South and Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, India, Pakistan, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Following a competitive business case pitching session among the top 10 finalists, the judging panel announced the top three winners of the KEL Award 2024: Xuan Hai Yen (Yanni), Deputy Director of Proline Vietnam Manufacture and Trading from Vietnam; Natasha Gogna, Managing Director of Shri Krishna International from India; and Tayyub Hussnain, Founder of Norwich Streetwear from Pakistan.
In addition to being one of the top three, Tayyub Hussnain also won the People’s Choice Award, determined by audience votes.
 |
|
Top 3 key e-commerce leaders for the KEL Award 2024. Photo courtesy of Alibaba.com |
The event spotlighted remarkable stories of ambition and innovation.
Hussnain shared his journey from earning a modest salary of 16,000 PKR (US$58) to becoming a successful entrepreneur. With a laptop provided by the Chief Minister of Punjab, he discovered Alibaba.com and secured his first large order of 770 clothing pieces. This milestone gave him the confidence to leave his job and focus on scaling his business.
Yen demonstrated resilience and strategic vision as Deputy Director of Proline Vietnam. Taking charge during a challenging period, she modernized the company’s operations and embraced Alibaba.com, achieving a 30% growth rate and expanding to over 15 countries. Her journey highlights the transformative impact of digital trade on local businesses.
 |
|
Shawn Yang, General Manager of Global Business Development at Alibaba.com, speaks at the event. Photo courtesy of Alibaba.com |
The distinguished judging panel included senior leaders and experts from Alibaba.com: Shawn Yang, General Manager of Global Business Development; Roger Luo, Head of South and Southeast Asia; Ella Xie, Director of Global Business Development; and Savannah Zheng, CEO of CGCH and Awins.
Yang emphasized the significance of the event, stating, “Through the stories shared by the sellers at the KEL Award, we aim to inspire businesses across South and Southeast Asia to actively participate in the high-potential global digital trade landscape.”
The KEL Award underscores Alibaba.com’s commitment to empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through global e-commerce opportunities. By celebrating these success stories, the platform aims to motivate more businesses in the region to embrace cross-border trade and unlock their potential in the global market.
