Awards for fostering Singapore-China ties

Scope of Business China honours not restricted to the business world

Business China, a non-profit organisation, is promoting the awards to mark the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and China this year.

 

They aim to give the winners recognition as role models in their sectors, but the scope will not be restricted to the business world as in many other awards.

 

Nominations can come from all facets of society, with artists and others in different fields in the running.

 

There will be an excellence prize for the best individual, one for achievers under 40 and an enterprise award for companies. There is no cap on the number of winners, so there could be more than one in each category.

 

The awards are open to Singapore citizens and permanent residents doing business or working in China, or Chinese residents doing the same here. Singaporean or Chinese companies registered in Singapore are also eligible.

 

Business China chairman Chua Thian Poh told reporters at a media launch at the Shangri-La Hotel: "We believe the close bilateral relations that Singapore and China have enjoyed over the years may not be possible without the contributions from the people...apart from government efforts.

 

"Therefore we hope to recognise outstanding individuals and organisations through the awards. This is one element that is very different from the various existing awards."

 

Business China chief executive Josephine Teo said: "We are not really looking just for business people, but individuals across all fields including media, advertising, the performing arts."

 

Mr Lim Chee Onn, chairman of the judging panel, gave more details on the criteria: "If it's an entrepreneur, this could be his ability to exercise effective management. And if it's an enterprise, the ability of its management to exercise good corporate governance."

 

Such attributes as corporate governance are in line with what both the Singapore and Chinese governments are trying to encourage among businesses and individuals, Mr Lim added.

 

Business China was established in November 2007 by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to build cross-border integration of language, business and culture.

 

The awards are sponsored by OCBC Bank. Singapore Press Holdings chief executive Alan Chan is the chairman of the awards' organising committee.

 

"Candidates... should possess great vision and astute foresight, be someone who has won the respect of his or her subordinates and whose actions have set an example for his or her organisation or profession," said Mr Chan, who also sits on the Business China board.

 

The judging panel comprises 10 leaders from government, business, media and academia, including IE Singapore CEO Chong Lit Cheong, Singapore Airlines chairman Stephen Lee and the editors of Lianhe Zaobao and The Business Times.

 

Nominations, which opened yesterday and close on June 4, can be made by any person or firm.

 

More details at www.businesschina. org.sg/bcawards

 

 

 

Courtesy of The Straits Times, 4 May 2010.