Over $200,000 raised at the event, which will be invested in goodie bags to benefit 2,000 underprivileged households
SINGAPORE, 19 January 2023 – Business China, a non-profit organisation that aims to strengthen ties between Singapore and China, raised more than $200,000 for charity during its annual Chinese New Year reunion gathering held tonight.
The reunion gathering dinner, held at Esplanade Mall’s Straits Chinese Nonya Restaurant, was attended by 40 business leaders from Singapore and China as well as representatives from Business China. Dr Koh Poh Koon, Senior Minister of State for Manpower, Sustainability and the Environment, Business China Board Director, and Chairman of Business Leaders Group Sub-committee, graced the event as the Guest of Honour.
The amount raised, through the donations by the business leaders during the reunion gathering, will be used by Business China to purchase Chinese New Year-themed goodie bags that will be distributed to 2,000 underprivileged households evenly across the island. Business China will be partnering with Sheng Siong in the procurement and packing of these goodie bags. In addition, Business China will be partnering with Grab for the delivery of the goodie bags to these households, where the full delivery fees will go directly to delivery personnel to also support the delivery workers.
Dr Koh said: “As Chinese New Year is around the corner, it is timely to spread festive cheer to the less privileged in the community through the distribution of these Chinese New Year-themed goodie bags. We would also like to extend our appreciation to the delivery workers for their participation in this event. We thank Sheng Siong and Grab for their support given to these communities this festive season.”
Mr Ho Chee Hin, CEO of Business China, said: “We were heartened by the strong response and glad that this event allowed the business leaders to share their kindness and sincerity with the beneficiaries for them to better enjoy the Chinese New Year.”
Apart from giving back to society, the event also serves as a platform for Singapore and China business leaders based in Singapore to network, exchange views and deepen their relationships.
Local and China business leaders based in Singapore were united in their desire to give back to the community, as evident by their generous donations to the goodie bag distribution drive.
“The involvement of these business leaders in this initiative made it possible for a sizeable number of beneficiaries to be included, creating a stronger impact,” said Dr Koh.
In addition, local supermarket chain Sheng Siong and Singapore super-app Grab will be helping with the distribution of the goodie bags. The goodie bags will be delivered by both Sheng Siong and Grab from 25 to 30 January 2023. Each goodie bag includes food items and vouchers from Sheng Siong.