Supporting the AustCham Westpac Australia-China Business Awards (ACBAs)
We were pleased to support the 2019 AustCham Westpac Australia-China Business Awards (ACBAs), through our sponsorship of the Business Excellence Award for Small-To-Medium Enterprises.
Now in its 26th year, the AustCham Westpac ACBAs recognise Australian and Chinese companies working across the Greater China region. The Awards celebrated the achievements of Australian and Chinese businesses across a range of different sectors including Agriculture, Food and Beverage, Construction, Creative Industries and Professional and Business services.
The winner of the Business Excellence Award for Small-To-Medium Enterprises in 2019 was Steriline Racing, an Australian-owned manufacturing company specialising in the installation of racetrack equipment for the horse racing industry. The award ceremony took place at a gala dinner in Hong Kong on Tuesday 28 May and featured a keynote address by The Hon Carrie Lam, Chief Executive, Hong Kong SAR on Innovation in the Greater Bay Area. A full transcript of the keynote address is available now.
Other Finalists in the 2019 SME category included:
- Cturtle, an employment database connecting international students and alumni with top employers in Asia.
- Ladies Who Tech, an organisation started by women in the STEM industries who aim to encourage more women to assist and discover their potential in STEM
- The Silk Initiative and the China Australia Millennial Project.
Asialink Business CEO, Mukund Narayanamurti, presented the SME award during the 28 May ceremony.
“We are delighted to support this important initiative, recognising the entrepreneurialism and achievements of Australian and Chinese businesses across the Greater China region.
“Receiving over 193 nominations, the ACBAs gala dinner offered a showcase and celebration of the many business success stories in the region - this can be a catalyst for other Australian businesses considering the Hong Kong and Greater China markets,” Mr Narayanamurti says.
Drew Waters, Head of Partnerships and Development, Asialink Business, also attended the gala dinner and says he is excited by the increased opportunities for Australian businesses in the region.
“With the recent signing of the Hong Kong-Australia Free Trade Agreement (A-HKFTA), Hong Kong was an ideal host for the 2019 awards. Hong Kong is already a top destination for Australian businesses, a gateway to North Asian markets, and the epicentre of the Greater Bay Area.
“Complementing the existing trade agreement with China (the ChAFTA), the new FTA with Hong Kong is set to produce further opportunity to strengthen our significant trade and investment ties,” Mr Waters says.
We would like to extend our congratulations to all of the finalists and award winners across all categories and we hope their successes will inspire even more connections and growth amongst Australian and Chinese SMEs in the years ahead.
For more information on the awards visit the AustCham website
For further information on the Hong Kong or China market, download our China Country Starter Pack and Hong Kong Country Starter Pack