Be The Next Inspiring Individual Or Organisation To Be Honoured For Bringing Singapore And China Closer

Following the success of the inaugural Business China Awards, Business China will continue the tradition of honouring outstanding businessmen, entrepreneurs, professionals for their successes and contributions to Singapore-China relationship and strengthening of bilingualism and biculturalism in Singapore.

From now till 5 May, Business China Awards 2011 will be open for nominations.

Members of the public can nominate individuals/organisations that are role models in enhancing Singapore-China ties for the three categories:

• Business China Excellence Award
• Business China Enterprise Award
• Business China Young Achiever Award

The recipients of the inaugural Awards (2010) were: Tao Shing Pee (Excellence Award), Stefanie Sun (Young Achiever Award) and China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park (Enterprise Award).

Organising Committee Chairman Mr Alan Chan said, “We are pleased with the results from the inaugural Awards. Pioneers in bringing Singapore and China closer and leaders in their respective fields, the inaugural recipients have established a benchmark for the Awards. As such, this year, we have also invited government agencies and civic organisations to participate in the nominations. We seek to tap on their valuable networks to identify deserving candidates. We also encourage individual members of the public to nominate themselves or those who have contributed extensively to Singapore-China bilateral ties.”

Chairman of Business China, Mr Chua Thian Poh said, “Last year, we rolled out two signature events, one of them being the Business China Awards, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Singapore-China diplomatic relations. Holding the Awards for a consecutive year will reinforce the importance of honouring the outstanding ones who have made the moves and built the ties. This demonstrates our continual endeavour in enhancing the bilateral relations. This year, we hope to discover more role models that will inspire young Singaporeans to follow their examples.”

OCBC Bank returns as joint presenter of the Awards, highlighting its commitment in promoting the spirit of entrepreneurship in Singapore and strengthening of bilateral ties between Singapore and China. 

Mr Samuel Tsien, OCBC Bank’s Global Head of Global Corporate Bank, said, “We are very pleased to support the Business China Awards for the second year running. It is a valuable and worthy platform that showcases companies and individuals who have successfully engaged China through their various activities. We hope that the stories of these winners will inspire others to deepen their reach in China and further propagate the strong and close relationship with the country.”

Business China Excellence and Young Achiever Awards will honour individuals who have best demonstrated exceptional vision and leadership in the development and sustained growth of a business or profession in China or Singapore, respectively. For Business China Young Achiever Award, nominees must be below the age of 40.

Business China Enterprise Award will honour an organisation which has demonstrated exceptional drive and vision as well as enjoyed substantial growth in its affairs in China or Singapore, respectively.
(Please refer to Annex 1 for full details of criteria.)

The awards are open to Singapore citizens & PR, residents of Greater China, Singapore organisations and China organisations registered in Singapore.

From 5 April – 5 May 2011, members of the public can visit bcawards.businesschina.org.sg/en to download the nomination form. The results of the 2011 awards will be released later in November.

Supporting media for Business China Awards 2011 are Lianhe Zaobao and The Business Times.
Annex 1: Full details of criteria
Annex 2: Judging Panel members

For further enquiries, you may contact:
Julia Tan
Assistant Manager (Corporate Communications)
Business China
Tel: 6842 1233
Fax: 6842 2633
Mobile: 9093 6788
Email: julia@businesschina.org.sg

About Business China Awards
Business China Awards is the first of its kind to honour outstanding individuals and organisations that with notable contributions to building Singapore-China relations and the appreciation of the Chinese language and culture. The inaugural Business China Awards was launched in 2010.

About Business China
Business China was launched in November 2007 by our Patron Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. We are a platform integrating language, economic and cultural elements. Our mission is to nurture an inclusive bilingual and bicultural group of Singaporeans through extensive use of the Chinese language as the medium of communication, so as to sustain our multi-cultural heritage, and to develop a cultural and economic bridge linking the world and China.

About OCBC Bank
OCBC Bank, established in 1912, is the second largest financial services group in Southeast Asia by assets. It is among the world’s highest rated banks, with a long term credit rating of Aa1 from Moody’s. OCBC Bank and its subsidiaries offer a broad array of specialist financial services, ranging from consumer, corporate, investment, private and transaction banking to treasury, insurance, asset management and stockbroking services. OCBC Bank’s key markets are Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Greater China. It has a network of more than 530 branches and representative offices in 15 countries and territories, including 411 branches and offices in Indonesia operated by its subsidiary, Bank OCBC NISP.

OCBC Bank’s insurance subsidiary, Great Eastern Holdings, is the largest insurance group in Singapore and Malaysia by assets, and its asset management subsidiary, Lion Global Investors, is one of the largest private sector asset management companies in Southeast Asia.

For more information, please visit www.ocbc.com.

Annex 1: Full details of criteria
The Business China Awards aim to honour outstanding businessmen, entrepreneurs, professionals and organisations for their successes and contributions to Singapore-China relationships and the appreciation of the Chinese language and culture.

There are three award categories, namely:

• Business China Excellence Award
• Business China Young Achiever Award 
• Business China Enterprise Award

Who can participate
Business China Awards are open to CEOs, entrepreneurs, professionals and organisations in Singapore or Greater China in a broad variety of fields. Please refer to Awards criteria for eligibility.

Who can nominate
Any individual or organisation in Singapore or Greater China can submit their nominations to Business China Secretariat.

How to nominate
You may download the nomination form from bcawards.businesschina.org.sg/en or call the secretariat at 68421233.

For enquiry, you may contact Business China Awards Secretariat at 6842 1233 or email bca@businesschina.org.sg.

Important Dates:
5 Apr 2011             Calling for nominations
5 May 2011            Nominations close
Jul/Aug 2011         Judging
28 Nov 2011          Awards Gala Dinner

For further details, visit: bcawards.businesschina.org.sg/en.

Judging Criteria
The judging criteria for the awards are as follows.

BUSINESS CHINA EXCELLENCE AWARD
This award will go to an outstanding Singapore citizen, permanent resident, or resident of Greater China who can best demonstrate exceptional vision and leadership in the development and sustained growth of a business or profession in China or Singapore, respectively.

The candidate must also be an exemplary role model to other Singaporeans in the learning and appreciating of the Chinese language and culture.
Nominees for the Business China Excellence Award are assessed in 4 key areas:
1. Financial Performance
2. Contribution to Singapore-China relationships
3. Managerial Skills
4. Personal Qualities

Eligibility
· The candidate should be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident, or a Resident of Greater China.
· If the candidate is a Singapore citizen or permanent resident, he/she should be involved in a business enterprise or profession in China.
· If the candidate is a Resident of Greater China, he/she should be involved in a business enterprise or profession in Singapore.
· There is no restriction on gender, age or race.

BUSINESS CHINA YOUNG ACHIEVER AWARD
This award will go to an outstanding young Singapore citizen or permanent resident, or a resident of Greater China who has best demonstrated exceptional leadership and vision in the development and sustained growth of a business or profession in China or Singapore, respectively.

Nominees for the Business China Young Achiever Award are assessed in 4 key areas:
1. Financial Performance
2. Contribution to Singapore-China relationships
3. Managerial Skills
4. Personal Qualities

Eligibility
· The candidate should be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident, or a Resident of Greater China.
· If the candidate is a Singapore citizen or permanent resident, he/she should be involved in a business enterprise or profession in China.
· If the candidate is a Resident of Greater China, he/she should be involved in a business enterprise or profession in Singapore.
· The candidate must be below the age of 40.
· There is no restriction on gender or race.

BUSINESS CHINA ENTERPRISE AWARD
This award will go to a Singapore company or a Chinese company registered in Singapore which has best demonstrated exceptional drive and vision as well as enjoyed substantial growth in its business in China or Singapore, respectively.

Nominees for Business China Enterprise Award are assessed in four key areas:
1. Financial Performance
2. Contribution to Singapore-China relationships
3. Innovation
4. Company Management

Annex 2: Judging Panel members