Finalists named in China Business Awards

New Zealand makers of yoghurt and customised shop fit-outs and a film studio have been chosen as finalists in the HSBC NZCTA China Business Awards 2013 (2013年汇丰银行-新中贸易协会中国商业大奖).

Entries in the awards were from large corporates as well as small to medium enterprises and across a range of industries including wine, dairy, honey, architecture and design, education, banking, tourism, TV and film.

Graham Kearns, executive director of the New Zealand China Trade Association (NZCTA) says, “The entries were of such number and high calibre that the judging panel of nine had difficulty separating them. The finalists also represent a good cross-section of companies doing business with China and Hong Kong.

“Many New Zealand organisations have successfully established business and investment links with China and that doesn’t come without its challenges.

“It is supremely important for us to recognize the success of NZ-China traders  and investors – they are role models for all aspiring importers from and exporters to China  including those organisations involved in the 'weightless' (services) economy and cross country investment.”

The finalists in each category are:
KPMG Creating leverage opportunities through Chinese/NZ business to benefit of NZ Inc (This award recognises organisations whose Chinese/NZ business relationships have created leverage opportunities for others.)  New Image Group; Synlait Milk; UMF Honey Association

DLA Phillips Fox Successful investment with China, Inward or Outward (This award is for an organisation that demonstrates innovative and successful NZ/China cross-border investment - inward or outward.) Huhu Studios; Synlait Milk; GDM Group Retail Systems

HSBC Excellence in NZ/China Trade (This award is for companies excelling in growing their product or service sales in China, or increasing their importing and distribution of Chinese-sourced products or services in New Zealand.) Alliance Group; Babich Wines; Comvita New Zealand; GDM Group Retail Systems

Cathay Pacific Airways Innovation in the Supply Chain (This award recognises significant investment and innovation in developing a supply chain to increase China/NZ business flows.) EasiYo Products; Alliance Group; GMP Pharmaceuticals

Hong Kong New Zealand Business Association Best use of Hong Kong by a New Zealand company for its business (This award recognises a New Zealand registered company that has a business history with Hong Kong and is growing their business from Hong Kong – preferably but not necessarily into China or wider Asia.)  Babich Wines; KVB Kunlun NZ; Metra Information

NZCTA Supreme Award (This award is decided from all categories listed above

The Supreme winner will receive a prize valued at more than $20,000, which includes two return business class airline tickets to China, accommodation at a five-star hotel, the use of a BMW vehicle in New Zealand for three months, plus a trophy.

The gala dinner in Auckland on May 30 at the Langham will be attended by Prime Minister John Key and the Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand, Xu Jianguo. The host is TV presenter, writer and actor Oscar Kightley.