JOEY CONCEPCION RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS PADMA SHRI AWARD IN INDIA

Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion has been conferred with the Padma Shri award by Indian President Ram Nath Kovind during the investiture ceremony at the Rashtrapathi Bhavan in New Delhi, India. Concepcion is the sole recipient from the Philippines among 37 Padma Shri awardees. The Padma Shri award is the fourth highest civilian award given by the government of India to individuals in recognition of their distinguished contribution in various activities. 

Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Jose Ma. “Joey” A. Concepcion III has officially received the prestigious Padma Shri award from India and was the sole recipient from the Philippines. He received the award from India President Ram Nath Kovind last April 2, 2018 in Rashtrapathi Bhavan, New Delhi, India, following the announcement in January this year that he was one of the awardees during the official visit President Rodrigo Duterte and his business delegation. 

The Padma Shri award is the fourth highest civilian award given by the government of India every year during India’s Republic Day.

Concepcion was recognized for his significant contribution to micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) development in the Philippines and across the ASEAN region.

Concepcion said the unexpected recognition was a most pleasant surprise.  He shared, “This award is a surprise as I was not supposed to go to India but decided to go instead two days before the expected departure. Back then I did not realize that I will be an awardee. In fact, even my taxi driver was proud to meet a Padma Shri awardee.”

“This is a reconfirmation that we are on the right path of helping our micro and small entrepreneurs," he added.

The Indian government conferred the Padma awards on 84 individuals including one awardee from each ASEAN member-country. 

Minister of External Affairs Smt. Sushma Swaraj said Padma awardees had worked hard in their respective fields without any expectation of returns from their communities.

Concepcion was also congratulated by entrepreneurs and business organizations including the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce of the Philippines, Management Association of the Philippines, Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Finance Executives of the Philippines and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council. 

Concepcion proudly shares the recognition with all entrepreneurship advocates in the country. “I share this honor with the entire Go Negosyo community, including our mentors, sponsors, conglomerates, and advocates," he declared. 

“I also share this award with former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who gave me the chance 13 years ago to be her adviser on entrepreneurship, leading to the birth of Go Negosyo, and of course to President Rodrigo Duterte for giving me the chance to once again push for programs that will give everyone a chance to succeed. I also thank our cabinet secretaries who are working with us on various programs and most especially Secretary Ramon Lopez, who was once my executive director during the start of the Go Negosyo advocacy," Concepcion added.