About
Photo Courtesy of the APEC Secretariat, www.apec.org
Executive Training
Photo Courtesy of the APEC Secretariat, www.apec.org
Executive Training
Strengthening regional economic integration and prosperity across Asia and the Pacific is the Centre’s driving purpose.
We have an enviable record in designing and delivering tailored training programs and capacity building programs for government,
business, not-for-profits and academic institutions.
Strengthening regional economic integration and prosperity across Asia and the Pacific is the Centre’s driving purpose.
We have an enviable record in designing and delivering tailored training programs and capacity building programs for government,
business, not-for-profits and academic institutions.
Photo Courtesy of the APEC Secretariat, www.apec.org
Executive Training
Strengthening regional economic integration and prosperity across Asia and the Pacific is the Centre’s driving purpose.
We have an enviable record in designing and delivering tailored training programs and capacity building programs for government,
business, not-for-profits and academic institutions.
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Malaysia
Mabel Sze Nie Ngu
Business Name: Kanma Plastic Material Sdn Bhd
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Business Website: https://www.kanmapm.com/​
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About me:
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I'm a second-generation entrepreneur at Kanma Plastic Material, the only plastic recycling facility in Bintulu, Sarawak that converts manufacturing waste into pellets for packaging, household products, and mouldings. I joined when the business was still in its infancy and have evolved from junior operations manager to Director-in-Training, systematically building the business intelligence and operational infrastructure needed for our next growth phase—international expansion.
About our business
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We've built direct partnerships with local manufacturers in our regional industrial area, rerouting their plastic waste from landfills and helping our local partners meet environmental requirements. This closed-loop model—collect locally, process with ISO 14001:2015 certification, serve local manufacturers and export regionally—positions us uniquely in Malaysia's circular economy vision. We're now transitioning from labour-intensive manual processes to automation and structured systems. Through our systematic 3 T’s (Transparency, Translatable, and Transferable) knowledge capture, we've created frameworks that allow our operations to scale beyond individual expertise. Beyond manufacturing, we also actively collaborate with local authorities to educate the public on proper waste segregation and identify genuine recyclable materials—building the supply infrastructure our industry needs to thrive.
Our mission: to recirculate discarded materials into reusable resources so lesser virgin natural resources are extracted from mother nature. With this, we aim to contribute a bigger role in the circular economy.
Through this program, I’m eager to learn from others about:
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Strategic market navigation: Frameworks for identifying and entering international markets that value sustainability credentials, particularly for ISO-certified recycled pellets from manufacturers all over the region, as well as;
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Building for scale: Gain insights on professionalizing operations—from founder-dependent processes to transferable business competencies that can support strategic partnerships and prepare us for the next growth stage.
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The APEC Women's Business Activator 2026 particularly appeals to me because I believe transformative learning happens in focused, immersive environments where I can connect with women business leaders navigating similar challenges of building sustainable businesses in emerging markets.
Vellarry Maydelina Yong
Business Name: Oupus organics
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Business Website: Oupusorganics.my​
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About me:
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My name is Vellarry Maydelina Yong, founder of Oupus Organics, a Sabah-based social enterprise focused on sustainable skincare and community empowerment. With over 10 years of experience in sales, I am passionate about using business as a platform to create social impact, especially for underprivileged women. My journey is deeply shaped by my own background growing up in poverty, which drives my commitment to creating flexible income opportunities and skills training for women who need them most.
Oupus Organics produces eco-friendly skincare using locally sourced botanical ingredients from Borneo, including bambangan seeds, an endemic rainforest plant native to Sabah. These seeds are rich in beneficial compounds and are innovatively repurposed into high-value skincare formulations.
What makes our business unique is our integration of sustainability, innovation and social impact. We employ and train underprivileged mothers, collaborate with NGOs and community leaders and conduct workshops that equip marginalized groups with practical skills to generate income. Today, our products are distributed through retail, pharmacy channels, exhibitions and online platforms, demonstrating that a purpose-driven business can be both impactful and commercially sustainable.
Through the APEC Women’s Business Activator program, I hope to strengthen my strategic leadership skills, expand international networks and gain insights into scaling a social enterprise sustainably. I am particularly interested in learning how to position Oupus Organics for global markets while maintaining strong social impact. I also look forward to connecting with other women entrepreneurs across the region to exchange knowledge, collaborate and grow together.