DBS receives social enterprise award from President Halimah

Published on Authored by C to I News Desk

DBS has been named the inaugural winner of the “Social Enterprise Champion of the Year (Corporation)” award at the President’s Challenge Social Enterprise Awards (PCSEA) 2019. 

The award was in recognition of DBS' efforts to nurture social enterprises in Singapore and the region.

DBS shares with President Halimah how they had helped to nurture over 300 social enterprises through awareness building activities, funding support, capacity building initiatives, and access to lower banking fees. Photo courtesy: MCI, Chwee
DBS shares with President Halimah how they had helped to nurture over 300 social enterprises through awareness building activities, funding support, capacity building initiatives, and access to lower banking fees. Photo courtesy: MCI, Chwee

Conferred biennially by the President’s Office, the PCSEA honours local businesses and their partners for contributions made to the local community. PCSEA 2019 winners received the awards from President Halimah Yacob at a ceremony at the Istana on December 5.

Ever since DBS established DBS Foundation in 2014 with a sum of SGD 50 million, it has reached out to more than 54,000 budding social entrepreneurs and nurtured over 300 social enterprises across Asia.

“At DBS, we believe that social enterprises are innovative, purpose-driven businesses that can help to address pressing social and environmental issues," said Karen Ngui, Board Member of DBS Foundation and DBS’ Head of Group Strategic Marketing & Communications.

Karen Ngui, Board Member of DBS Foundation and DBS’ Head of Group Strategic Marketing & Communications (right) and Bjorn Low, Co-founder of Edible Garden City, an urban farming social enterprise supported by the DBS Foundation. Photo courtesy: DBS
Karen Ngui, Board Member of DBS Foundation and DBS’ Head of Group Strategic Marketing & Communications (right) and Bjorn Low, Co-founder of Edible Garden City, an urban farming social enterprise supported by the DBS Foundation. Photo courtesy: DBS

Claire Wong, Head of DBS Foundation, added, “DBS has been a committed proponent of social enterprises for over a decade. We will continue our efforts to nurture and grow social enterprises, and to integrate [them] into the culture and operations of DBS. By leveraging the bank’s resources, expertise and network, we are in a unique position to provide much needed holistic support to social enterprises in Singapore and across the region.”

The “Social Enterprise Champion of the Year” is a new award introduced this year, recognising corporations and individuals who have made significant contributions to the social enterprises sector in Singapore. DBS was conferred the award in the corporation category.