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New Awards to Champion the Best of British Business



British Business Community to Celebrate ‘Innovation, Expertise and Endeavour'in China

BEIJING, Jan. 17 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- The British Chamber of Commerce Beijing announces the first ever British Business Awards which will be presented in the Capital in November 2008. The Awards will recognise companies and individuals building businesses and brands in China through innovation, expertise and endeavour. The Awards are being supported by United Kingdom Trade and Investment of The British Embassy, British Council, China-Britain Business Council and Confederation of British Industry.

The four award categories will recognise the Company of the Year, Innovative Product of the Year, Corporate Social Responsibility Programme of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year. The winners will be judged by an independent panel of UK Government officials, British and Chinese business leaders and the media. Sir William Ehrman, Her Majesty's Ambassador to the People's Republic of China will serve as the patron of the Awards.

Sir William Ehrman, Her Majesty's Ambassador to the People's Republic of China said, "The British Business Awards will serve to celebrate the best of British business spirit, while highlighting Britain's strong economic ties as the largest European investor in China."

The call for entries, which will begin in April, will be open to all British Chamber of Commerce Members, China-based British-owned companies or organisations, China-based companies or organisations with UK links, as well as their employees. Companies will first be evaluated on the basis of their written applications and interviews, and finalists will then be short listed. British Chamber of Commerce members will also be able to vote for the nominee of their choice; these votes and comments will be taken into consideration alongside the views of the Panel of Judges.

"China is a key market for Britain, and Britain is a key business partner for China. I am certain that the 2008 Awards will be successful and will help to showcase the best of British Business building their brands in China through innovation, expertise and endeavour," said Michael Fosh, Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in China.

The UK is a significant business and cultural partner of China. Combined investments in 2007 positioned the UK as the largest European investor in China. Foreign direct investment from the UK into China from January to November 2007 was GBP359.7 million. There were over 65,000 Chinese students studying in the UK, with over 51,000 undertaking higher education courses.

The British Embassy

British Embassy in Beijing is one of Britain's largest overseas Embassies and aims to promote the interests of the United Kingdom and contribute to a strong world community. For more information, please contact Mr. Bikash Dawahoo at Bikash.Dawahoo@fco.gov.uk

United Kingdom Trade and Investment

United Kingdom Trade and Investment aims to enhance the competitiveness of companies in the UK through overseas trade and investments and attract high level of quality foreign direct investment to the UK. For more information, please contact Mr. Bikash Dawahoo at Bikash.Dawahoo@fco.gov.uk

British Chamber of Commerce in China

British Chamber of Commerce in China is an independent, not-for-profit membership-based organisation with over 2000 members nationally that provides connectivity for British Business in China. For more information, please contact Ms. Kate Alden at marketing@pek.britcham.org

British Council

British Council connects people worldwide with learning opportunities and creative ideas from the UK and builds lasting relationships between the UK and other countries. For more information, please contact Ms. Jazreel Goh at Jazreel.Goh@britishcouncil.org.cn

China-Britain Business Council

China British Business Council, with over 1000 members globally, is the UK’s leading organisation helping British companies do business in China. For more information, please contact Mr. Brian Outlaw at brian.outlaw@cbbc.org.cn

Confederation of British Industry

Confederation of British Industry, with around 300 members in China alone, is the UK's leading independent employers' organisation and represents both public and private sector companies. For more information, please contact Mr. Guy Drury at Guy.Drury@cbi.org.uk

Note to Editor:

Please find below more quotes about The British Business Awards from participating partners: British Council, China-British Business Council, and Confederation of British Industry.

"British Council is proud to be a partner of The British Business Awards and looks forward to celebrating the best of British business in China, and the strong education links between our two countries", said Ms Jazreel Goh, British Council Director of Education Marketing in China.

"China-British Business Council has been helping to develop British trade in China since the early 1950's. The British Business Awards reaffirms our commitment to developing these relationships by recognising the best in this field", said Mr. Brian Outlaw, Director of China British Business Council.

"The Awards will showcase many of the UK businesses that are helping to foster stronger economic and cultural ties with China. Confederation of British Industry is proud to be a partner of this signature event of British Business in China," said Mr. Guy Drury, Head of Confederation of British Industry, Beijing.

Source: British Chamber of Commerce Beijing
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