CMO Asia, a not-for-profit organization for marketing professionals in the region, recognized NMCTS as among this year’s most sought-after employer for exhibiting a culture of contribution and innovation, and improving human resource policies.

“We are very proud to be the only Bruneian company to be recognized in this event, which reflects the kind of work culture and environment that we have at NMCTS. This motivates us to further improve our existing policies and best practices for the sake of employees and the business in general,” says Reimond Silvestre, NMCTS director and general manager.

“As Brunei’s leading trading gateway, the Muara Container Terminal (MCT) deserves only the best in people technology to operate the MCT. On one hand, as an ICTSI subsidiary, we have cascaded ICTSI’s global brand of corporate culture into NMCTS operations. We intend to replicate ICTSI Group’s human development programs for the long term,” he adds.

Endorsed by the Asian Confederation of Businesses, the Employer Branding Institute (EBI), together with the World HRD Congress, conferred various awards to 200 Asian companies, including NMCTS.

The selection of NMCTS went through a carefully researched process. EBI assessed over 200 companies based on workplace contribution and innovation, consistent improvement in HR policy specifically on organizational health and company values, being a social employer, and developing future leaders.

Suriayani Abas, NMCTS human resources and administration assistant manager, says: “It is a huge honor for the organization to be given this award. It goes to show that we are doing something right in terms of business and people management. To be named the best employer brand in Asia really sets the bar high for everyone at NMCTS.”

“As a Bruneian, I am proud to be a part of a local company, NMCTS, that belongs to a pioneering global company in ICTSI,” she adds.

NMCTS employees enjoy competitive salaries and remuneration, among the best compensation packages in the Group and in the region. “We are fully aware that ICTSI’s service agreement in Brunei is renewable on a yearly basis only. Despite financial challenges and uncertainties, we are very thankful that NMCTS never fell short of its HR obligation,” says Ahmad Ilmi Adanani, NMCTS operations head.

NMCTS’ recent achievement is the second global HR award received by the ICTSI Group this year. Last June, Philippine subsidiary South Cotabato Integrated Port Services, Inc. (SCIPSI), won the International Gold Employer of the Year Award at the annual Investors in People Awards 2016 in London.

SCIPSI bested more than 300 other candidates from various companies across the globe. Investors in People, which is owned by the government of the United Kingdom and managed nationally by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, cited SCIPSI for its people management practices.

As part of ICTSI’s Group’s portfolio of 30 terminals in 20 countries, NMCTS shares the same global standards and best practices that have made ICTSI one of the leading port operators in the world. According to Mr. Silvestre, key to ICTSI’s success is people management.

“One of our core strengths is a highly capable manpower. It’s really the key to the way we operate all of our terminal concessions worldwide. We start by bringing people in from our headquarters in Manila to jumpstart operations and train the locals who will eventually take over once everything is in place. But at the end, our goal is for each of our terminals to be run by 100 percent local manpower,” explains Mr. Silvestre.

ICTSI subsidiaries regularly send manpower to other terminals within the Group for training, secondment and other assignment overseas. This practice, considering the diversity of ICTSI’s portfolio, allows the Group to share best practices and improve the technical skills of their employees.

“Aside from the technical expertise that we pass on to our subsidiaries, we also teach them about hard work and perseverance including leadership and self-improvement skills such as personal financial management. We want our employees to be empowered. Having the right work attitude, combined with the technical know-how, sets our employees apart from the rest of the industry,” says Mr. Silvestre.

“Having established presence in 20 countries, we understand cultural differences and we know well how to utilize this diversity to achieve organizational goals,” he adds.