With trade opportunities between the West and China continuing to build on an annual basis, Cathay Pacific has launched its ninth annual China Business Awards scheme, which acknowledges and celebrates UK and Irish business dynamism and success in China and Hong Kong.
Cathay Pacific’s prestigious awards scheme, which is being held for the first time in association with HSBC, recognises and rewards the best of business trading with the region.
Inviting large and small UK and Irish-based enterprises to enter these awards, the three categories are targeted at SMEs, corporates and not-for-profit organisations that have established successful trading links, shown long-term commitment, or whose projects have displayed either business innovation, environmental or CSR benefits in China.
The award scheme features three award categories, including:
- Continued Commitment Award: This award recognises ongoing sustainable and ethical investment in China and/or Hong Kong, rewarding companies in the UK and Ireland that have demonstrated a continued commitment in the China region.
- Rising Star Award: This award recognises dynamic and innovative businesses, which have opened operations in China within the last five years and demonstrate entrepreneurial flair.
- Social Responsibility Award: This award recognises initiatives from any company or Not for Profit organisations that have benefited China in a socially responsible manner.
The awards are judged by a panel of senior representatives including Mark Emmerson, Head of Global Trade and Receivable Finance, UK; Stephen Phillips, Chief Executive of CBBC; and Angus Barclay, General Manager Europe, Cathay Pacific.
Companies entering the 2014 China Business Awards will receive a complimentary ‘Taster Membership’ with the China-Britain Business Council for the period of three months. The membership will include one-to-one meetings with a China Business adviser, weekly members’ emails and newsletters, access to CBBC events and a subscription to the E-version of CBBC’s China-Britain Focus magazine.
The awards open up a wealth of networking benefits – putting companies right in front of an advisory panel consisting of key business influencers linked to China, including Cathay Pacific, HSBC, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO), China-Britain Business Council (CBBC), the Hong Kong Association, UK Trade & Investment (UKTI).
The winner of each category will receive two Business Class tickets to anywhere on the Cathay Pacific China network and the winners will be presented with their prize at a formal awards ceremony at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London. The three winning companies will also receive one Diamond and one Gold membership to Cathay Pacific’s Marco Polo Club. In addition, Cathay Pacific will provide the winners with considerable business networking opportunities to help further their business goals.
Previous winners of these awards have included Jaguar Land Rover, British Standards Institution (BSI), Herbal Health, Fired Up, Intertek, CRCC Asia, Penguin Group, SMD Holdings Ltd, B&Q, Arup, Prudential, Cherry Valley Farms, Rolls Royce and the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.
Companies registered in the UK and the Republic of Ireland that trade with Hong Kong and/or China can submit their entries online at a dedicated awards website www.cathaypacific.co.uk/awards and have until 20th March 2014 to do so.
Angus Barclay, General Manager Europe, Cathay Pacific, said: “As Hong Kong’s flagship carrier, we have established strong business links between the UK and Hong Kong and on into China over the last 30 years, and more and more of our business travellers in the UK and Ireland are setting their sights on the East. Working in association with HSBC, the Cathay Pacific China Business Awards promote, encourage and applaud strong business links between the two regions. These awards celebrate and reward talent, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit for which the UK and Republic of Ireland are renowned.’’
“HSBC is delighted to be supporting the Cathay Pacific Business Awards. We recognise the tremendous opportunities available to UK organisations in Hong Kong and China and believe businesses who look to invest in the region deserve recognition,” said Mark Emmerson, Head of Global Trade and Receivable Finance.
