WA-ASIAN Business Awards 2022 – the FIRST in Australia showcasing Asian entrepreneurs.

by Dr Renée Ralph, Co-Founder, The Brilliant Foundation

Photo : Dr Sandy Chong, Co-Chair with Mr Simon Wu, Founder and Chair of WA-Asian Business Awards 2022

PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA (WA) – Last evening, WA-Asian Business Awards 2022 was launched by Mr Simon Wu, Founder and Chair with Dr Sandy Chong, Co-Chair at WA Business News VIP Press Conference, St George’s Terrace.

WA Business News is the official and exclusive media partner to cover the inaugural WA-Asian Business Awards.

This is the first Asian Business Award of its kind in Australia and it hopes to reveal and celebrate the Asian migrant and expatriate enterprising community that has contributed to the Australian economy.

Photo : Mr Garry Liewellyn, Relationship Manager of WA Business News

Mr Garry Liewellyn, Relationship Manager of WA Business News stated that for the past 30 years, WA Business News has been a trusted source of news and commerce information in Western Australia and is extremely supportive of this pioneer WA-Asian Business Awards.

Photo : Mr BJ Zhuang, an iconic and respected individual within the resources industry - known for his bilateral relations involvement between Western Australia, Australia and China.

Mr BJ Zhuang (BJ) a retiree formerly worked with the Western Australian government for almost 25 years and his last role was with Fortescue Metals Group as General Manager, Trading Shanghai for 8 years.

BJ has been the linchpin in Australia-China relations within the resources industry in Western Australia, building a credible reputation in seamlessly bringing the two business worlds together.

BJ stated that the WA-Asian Business Awards 2022 is a commendable and vital initiative as Western Australian’s economy is very much dependable on international trade - in particular with the growing trade with Asia.

China accounted for 54% of Western Australia's goods exports in 2019-20.

Western Australia accounted for 65% of Australia's goods exports to China in 2019-20.

Western Australia exported $98.5 billion of goods to China in 2019-20, above the annual average of $60.9 billion over the past 10 years.

BJ stated that the WA-Asia Business Awards initiative came at a very good time to keep the momentum going in building our relationships with our Asian trading partners.

Photo : Mr BJ Zhuang and Dr Sandy Chong, Co-Chair, WA-Asian Business Awards 2022

He said that this award will facilitate business exports, increase networking and new contacts. He shared that "as a proud Western Australian who have been involved in bilateral relations, I feel honoured to be associated with this event and I wish it great success. Thank you.”

Photo : VIP Press Conference at WA Business News, St Georges with the pioneer WA-Asian Business Awards Organising Committee 2022

In September 2020, Premier Mark McGowan announced that WA's network of international offices will be organised into five regional hubs - Europe, India-Gulf, North East Asia, China and ASEAN.

In doing so, Premier Mark McGowan stated: "The new regional hub model for State trade offices will enable Western Australia to maximise the benefits our important international offices provide to Western Australians. This is a much more flexible model that enables the State Government to be responsive to emerging market and industry priorities in the months ahead, and in a post COVID-19 world.”

Mr Simon Wu stated the mission is to recognise outstanding individuals and leaders of Asian heritage in WA for its outstanding achievement in business and trade.

The WA-Asian Business Awards will highlight the WA-Asian enterprises and entrepreneurs for their remarkable achievements and outstanding contributions to our WA economy.

Simon said that it will also promote stronger trade and investment between WA and Asia.

The WA-Asian Business Award and Expo 2022 will support WA SMEs in building connections and explore partnerships within the region.

The WA-Asian Business Award and Expo will donate to Telethon 7 and Special Olympics Australia.

Photo : VIP Press Conference at WA Business News, St Georges Terrace, Perth, Western Australia. This event was supported by various media outlets and 45 Associations

Photo : The ASEAN Business Alliance WA with Dr Sandy Chong

Dr Sandy Chong stated that the WA-Asian Business Awards initiative has received stellar support from 45 associations within the WA-Asian community.

Photo : Mr Charles Kobelke, CEO, WA Business News

Sandy is grateful that Mr Charles Kobelke, Chief Executive Officer, WA Business News is supporting this initiative.

Sandy said that the WA-Asian Business Awards serve as a catalyst in building relationships and guanxi during the COVID-19 pandemic when the borders are closed.

When the borders reopen, Western Australia, its Asian and expatriate community will be ready to take the relationship to the next level with its Asian trading neighbours.

This is the Asian way to connect and help each other.

The Pioneer WA-Asian Business Awards Organising Committee 2021-2022 comprising:

There are 5 Award Categories:

Business Excellence Awards (below & above $10m)

International Business Excellence Award

Entrepreneur of the Year Award

Social Impact Award

Young Achiever Award

Timeline

Call for nominations will begin 1st November 2021 and closes 28 November 2021.

The judging panel will review the nominations from 1 December to 18 December 2021.

Event Program

The WA-Asian Business Awards and Expo will be held on Friday, 30 January 2022 at the Perth Exhibition and Convention Centre.

The WA-Asia Business Expo will be held from 2:00pm-6-00pm.

A High-Level Roundtable from 4:30pm-6:00pm.

The night will end with the WA-Asian Business Awards Dinner Gala from 6:30pm-9.30pm.

Photo (Left to Right) : Ms Louisa Cotter, President, Australia-Philippines Business Council and Secretary, ASEAN Business Alliance (ABA); Mr Alexander Circosta, Photographer and Law Graduate, The Brilliant Foundation

Photo : Question & Answer Session with Mr BJ Zhuang and Dr Sandy Chong

Photo : Matthew McKenzie, Journalist, WA Business News

Photo : WA-Asian Business Awards Organising Committee 2022 with Mr BJ Zhuang and

Dr Vanessa Atienza-Hipolito.

Photo (from left to right): Dr Vanessa Atienza-Hipolito, Ms Louisa Cotter, Dr Sandy Chong,

Mr Simon Wu and Dr Renée Ralph

Photo (From Left to Right) : Dr S Zaung Nau, Ms Vickee Wotherspoon, Dr Vanessa Atienza-Hipolito, Ms Louisa Cotter, Mrs Charlene Thomas, Dr Renée Ralph and Ms Ling, the Emcee for the Press Conference.

Photo (Left to Right) : Dr Vanessa Atienza-Hipolito and Dr Renée Ralph

Photo (Left to Right) : Mr Alexander Circosta, Photographer and Law Graduate

with Wai Wan, Colombo Plan Scholar.

Photo (From Left to Right) : Mr Alexander Circosta, Photographer and Law Graduate,

Dr Renée Ralph, Co-Founder, The Brilliant Foundation, Dr Sandy Chong and Dr Vanessa Atienza-Hipolito.

THE END

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The Brilliant Foundation is a proud supporter of the WA-Asian Business Awards 2022.