Award victors show the way in Asia

Business Asia, May 19, 2000

The elite Asia-Pacific business brands are driving Asia's rebound as they pursue aggressive new expansion campaigns.

The winners of this year's Business Asia News Magazine Awards underline the commitment to the region that has seen most countries put Asia's financial crisis behind them.

Take Cathay Pacific, this year's winner of the Best Asian Business Activity in Australia category. Hong Kong's renowned carrier is spending about HK$8 billion (US$1.03 billion) to upgrade its fleet as passenger levels rise and cargo volumes grow.

And Southcorp Wines, winner of the Best Australian Large Business Activity in Asia, has seen its wine sales in the first half rise 23 per cent on the back of a huge increase in international takings.

Other exciting business sectors include the entertainment industry and information technology.

Perth-based smart card manufacturer ERG has established a strong presence in Hong Kong and other markets -- a crucial factor allowing it to win the Best Use of Australian Technology in Asia category.

And Human Nature -- Australia's own "Fab Four" -- is selling hundreds of thousands of albums across Asia to justly claim the Outstanding Achievement in the Arts and Entertainment Industry.

Such stories are typical of this year's Business Asia Award winners.

In the special edition, we pay tribute to the victors -- and profile their significant business achievements.

Like the companies they honour, The Business Asia annual awards continue to grow and prosper, providing a benchmark for Australians doing business in Asia, and Asians doing business in Australia.

This year marks the seventh anniversary of the awards -- and the seventh year of sponsorship by Citibank.

They have come a long way since Business Asia's publisher, Peter Charlton, first floated the idea to recognise and reward Australia-Asia businesses. The night is now a premier event on the business calendar and competition for awards is fierce.

In keeping with the status of the awards, a long list of VIPs has attended over the years, including current Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai, and former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke. The latter was a key initiator of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has been a repeat visitor, as has Northern Territory Minister for Asian Relations, Daryl Manzie.

Others to attend over the years include Gareth Evans, the respected former Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, South Korean ambassador Dong Suk Moon, chief executive of Malaysia's Institute of Strategic and International Studies Dr Noordin Sopiee, former Australian Trade Minister Bob McMullen, and Thai consul general Chaiyong Satjipanon.

Just as significantly, winners over the years have included the big names of business in the Asia-Pacific region: the likes of BHP Petroleum, Qantas, Toyota Motor Corporation, Austal Ships, Ansett Australia, Hyundai, Leighton Asia, ANZ Banking Group, Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific.

GALLERY OF WINNERS

1994

* Best Australian Investment              BHP Petroleum
   Activity in Asia:
* Best Australian Marketing Activity      Qantas Airways
   in Asia:
* Best Australian Use of Technology &     AWA Limited
   Innovation To Enter Asia:
* Best Asian Value-Added Investment       Toyota Motor Corporation
   In  Australia:
* Most Outstanding Achievement
  in Fostering Australia-Asia
  Ties in the Business, Investment &      WA Chinese Chamber of
  Trade Fields                            Commerce

1995

* Best Australian Small/Medium            Austal Ships
   Business Activity in Asia:
* Best Australian Large Business          Ansett Australia
   Activity in Asia:
* Best Australian Service Activity in     ANZ Banking Group
  Asia:
* Best Use of Australian Technology       Moldflow
   in Asia:
* Best Asian Business Activity in         Hyundai Australia
   Austrilia:
* Best Contribution to Australia-Asia     WA Chamber of Commerce
   Business Ties:                          and Industry

1996

* Best Australian Small/Medium            Meinhardt International
   Business Activity
   in Asia:
* Best Australian Large Business          ANZ Banking Group
   Activity in Asia:
* Best Australian Service Activity in     Leighton Asia
  Asia:
* Best Use of Australian Technology       Pulse Logistic Systems
   in Asia:
* Best Asian Business Activity in         CITIC Australia
   Australia:
* Best Contribution to Australia-Asia     Australian Chamber of
   Business Ties:                         of Commerce in HK

1997

* Best Australian Small/Medium            Email
   Business Activity in Asia:
* Best Australian Large Business          Ansett Australia
   Activity in Asia:
* Best Australian Service Activity        Insearch Language
   in Asia:                               Centre
* Best Use of Australian Technology       Cochlear
   in Asia:
* Best Asian Business Activity in         Mitsui Australia
   Australia:
* Best Contribution to Australia-Asia     NT Expo
   Business Ties:

1998

* Best Australian Small/Medium            Royal Melbourne
   Business Activity in Asia:             Institute of Technology
* Best Australian Large Business          Leighton Asia
   Activity in Asia:
* Best Australian Service Activity in     Leighton Asia
   Asia:
* Best Use of Australian Technology       Laservision
   in Asia:
* Best Asian Business Activity in         Singapore Airlines
   Australia:
* Best Contribution to Australia-Asia     NT Expo
   Business Ties:
* Outstanding Achievement in the Arts     Village Roadshow
   and Entertainment Industry:

1999
* Best Australian Small/Medium            Compumedics
   Business Activity in Asia:
* Best Australian Large Business          Qantas
   Activity in Asia:
* Best Australian Service Activity        Royal Melbourne Institute
   in Asia:                                of Technology
* Best Use of Australian Technology       Laservation
   in Asia:
* Best Asian Business Activity in         Singapore Airlines
   Australia:
* Outstanding Achievement in the Arts     Kate Ceberano
   and Entertainment Industry:

2000

* Best Australian Large Business          Southcorp Wines
   Activity in Asia:
* Best Use of Australian Technology       ERG Group
   in Asia:
* Outstanding Achievement in the Arts     Human Nature
   & Entertainment Industry:
* Best Contribution to Australia-Asia     Asia Society AustralAsia
   Business Ties:                         Centre
* Best Asian Business Activity in         Cathay Pacific Airways
   Australia:
* Best Australian Service Activity        University of New South
   in Asia:                               South Wales
* Best Australian E-commerce              Keycorp Limited
   Initiative in Asia:
* Best Australian SME Business            Total Concept Australia
   Activity in Asia:                       Pty Ltd