The Australia-China Business Awards (ACBA) are attracting more prestige and a larger band of nominees with each passing year as local entrepreneurs see their huge promotional value.
"Each year we have more applicants. This year we have two-thirds more than last year," said David Keir, the current chair of AustCham Shanghai.
The growing interest in the awards, which are currently under consideration and are now in their 18th year, shows how they have become more prestigious, he said. The awards were designed to recognize and celebrate Australian companies excelling in China.
Christopher Wright, chairman of the judging committee, said their popularity also reflects the two country's surging business ties.
"They are an extension of the Greater China Chamber's long-term commitment to supporting and promoting excellence in Australia-China business. They recognize and celebrate the enormous diversity and strength of Australian businesses delivering products and services to China," he said.
Wright said the award has become a promotional tool for Chinese entrepreneurs and Australian business owners, as it shows their hard work over the past year and is highly regarded by their staff and recruiting targets.
"It is difficult for small businesses to get publicity. After we picked up one of the awards, we saw it as a way of promoting our business, and we've definitely seen growth since last year," said Frank Li, a representative from Just Beer, last year's ACBA winner. Just Beer imports and distributes Australian beer to the Chinese market.
This year's finalists were announced on Oct 19 by the Australian Chamber of Commerce through its offices in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Macao and Beijing.
It is the first time for the event to be staged in Shanghai. It moved to Beijing last year after spending 16 years in Hong Kong, and will be rotated among the three cities from now.
Nominations for the Australia-China Business Awards are now open, with the aim of recognizing those firms that contributed most to Australian business across China over the past year.
(China Daily 10/22/2010)
