Awards for contribution to Singapore-China ties

Business China to recognise individuals and organisations

 

If you do business in China, you or your company could be eligible for the first award of its kind – one that recognises commercial contributions towards Singapore-China relations.

 

Business China, a networking platform for Singaporeans doing business in China, yesterday announced the launch of the inaugural Business China Awards.

 

The Awards, open to CEOs, entrepreneurs, professionals and organisations in Singapore and Greater China, will be in three categories: Business China Excellence Award, Business China Young Achiever Award and Business China Enterprise Award.

The awards go both ways. Singapore citizens and PRs should be involved in a business enterprise or profession in China. Chinese residents are eligible but they instead have to be involved in a business enterprise or profession in Singapore.

 

They will be judged according to financial performance, contribution to Singapore-China relations and personal qualities, among other things.

 

There is also a special award category catering specifically for those below 40 years of age – the Young Achiever Award.

 

Explaining the rationale for having a separate category to recognise young people, Alan Chan, chairman of Business China Awards organising committee, said: "One of the main objectives of Business China is to nurture young bilingual Singaporeans who can serve as an economic and cultural bridge between Singapore and China."

 

"By recognising the achievements of individuals who have significantly enhanced Singapore-China relations, we hope we can inspire many more to pursue excellence in this cause."

 

The third category, Business China Enterprise Award aims to recognise a Singaporean or Chinese company registered in Singapore which has best demonstrated drive and vision as well as enjoyed substantial growth in its business.

 

"The award has been in conception for the past one year...to mark 20 years of diplomatic relations between Singapore and China...We hope the achievements of the award winners will motivate other Singaporeans to attain similar successes," said Chua Thian Poh, chairman of Business China.

 

From now till June 4, individuals or organisations may submit their nominations to the Business China Secretariat.

 

Judging will take place from August to September by a 10-member judging panel chaired by Business China's board director Lim Chee Onn.

 

The award gala dinner, to be held on Nov 23, will be graced by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew. The event will be held in conjunction with Business China's third anniversary celebrations.

 

The Business China Awards are jointly presented and sponsored by OCBC Bank. The Business Times and Lianhe Zaobao are the supporting media.

 

Samuel Tsien, OCBC's head of Global Corporate Bank, reaffirmed the bank's aim in supporting the awards. "We firmly believe that by recognising their leadership and celebrating their success, the Awards will inspire and encourage many others to deepen their reach in China and Singapore."

 

 

Courtesy of The Business Times, 4 May 2010.