Hong Kong and Guangdong Enterprises Recognized for Outstanding Achievements in Brand Building and Management

Forty-six enterprises from Hong Kong and Guangdong with outstanding achievements in brand building and management were recognized today (9 June 2006) at the presentation ceremony of 'The Best Brand Enterprise Award 2006 (Guangdong & Hong Kong)' organized by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC).

The presentation ceremony was officiated by Ms Yvonne Choi, Permanent Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology (Commerce and Industry) of the HKSAR Government; HKPC Chairman, the Hon. Andrew Leung, and Executive Director, Mr K K Yeung.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Leung said, "In today's globalized economy, branding is one of the critical success factors for an enterprise to stay in the forefront of competition. In particular, as manufacturers in Hong Kong and Guangdong are extending their role in the value chain, branding can often add value to their products and enhance their competitive edge."

"By recognizing outstanding achievements of Hong Kong and Guangdong enterprises in brand building and management, 'The Best Brand Enterprise Award 2006' also promotes best practices and sets the benchmark for other industry players in their pursuit of brand excellence," he said.

According to Mr K K Yeung, HKPC has been providing one-stop services to assist industry to engage in high value-added activities to meet the changing needs of the times. He said, "One of the major initiatives is the promotion of branding and brand management. Through consultancy services, HKPC assists enterprises in Guangdong and Hong Kong to adopt effective branding strategies and management systems, in both the manufacturing and service sectors."

To further promote branding awareness to enterprises in the Mainland, Mr Yeung said, "In future, it is our intention to include applicants from the Greater China region."

The inaugural event received over 100 entries from Hong Kong and Guangdong, covering a wide range of industrial and business sectors. Entries were judged according to five criteria, including corporate development, brand management, corporate strategy, leadership and innovation.

Winners of 'The Best Brand Enterprise Grand Award' were Cathay Pacific Airways Limited, Gree Electric Appliances Inc. of Zhuhai, and Guangdong Foodstuffs Import & Export (Group) Corporation.

Five companies were recognized for their outstanding achievements in the five selection criteria. The winning companies included:
- 'The Best Brand Enterprise Award and Corporate Development Excellence' - Urban Property Management Ltd
- 'The Best Brand Enterprise Award and Corporate Brand Management Excellence' - Sa Sa International Holdings Limited
- 'The Best Brand Enterprise Award and Corporate Strategy Excellence' - Synergis Management Services Limited
- 'The Best Brand Enterprise Award and Corporate Leadership Excellence' - Hong Thai Travel Services Limited
- 'The Best Brand Enterprise Award and Corporate Innovation Excellence' - Sinomax Group

Following the ceremony, the 'Seminar on Building a Strong Brand' was held with branding experts from Hong Kong and Guangdong, as well as winners of the Grand Award, sharing their insight and success stories with over 100 industrialists and business executives.

Other officiating guests at the presentation ceremony included Mr Wang Hui, Deputy Head of the Department of Economic Affairs, Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; Mr Li Zhongduo, Director General of Guangdong Provincial Intellectual Property Office; Mr Raymond Young, Director-General of Trade and Industry, and Mr Stephen Selby, Director of Intellectual Property of the HKSAR Government; Mr Peter Leung, Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs, Guangdong, HKSAR Government; and Dr Stephen Lee, Director (Product Productivity) of HKPC and Organizing Committee Chairman of the Award Scheme.

Supporting organizations for the Award Scheme include the Innovation and Technology Commission, Trade and Industry Department, and Intellectual Property Department of the HKSAR Government; Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong of the HKSAR Government, Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Hong Kong Brand Development Council, The Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Hong Kong Industries, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Association, Hong Kong Brands Protection Alliance, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade – Guangdong Sub-Council, Guangdong General Chamber of Commerce, and Guangdong Province International Technology Trade Association.

For further enquiries, please contact HKPC's Ms Zenith Wong at tel. (852) 2788 5484 or email: ip_branding@hkpc.org, or the Productivity (Dongguan) Consulting Co Ltd's Ms Wang Fang at tel. (86 769) 2202 1919 or e-mail: wangfang@dg.hkpcprd.com.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Ms Betty Lee
General Manager
Corporate Communications and Events
Tel: (852) 2788 5895
Fax: (852) 2788 5056
E-mail: justina@hkpc.org
Website: www.hkpc.org

9 June 2006