European firms show confidence in GBA market

The European Chamber South China Award Gala was held in Shenzhen on Thursday, gathering around 230 participants, including consuls general, government representatives, executives and elites from different industries.

The European Chamber South China Chapter set up seven awards to acknowledge the exceptional achievements of European companies doing business in China and the accomplishments of Chinese companies in Europe. Although each award focuses on different fields, representatives from the winning companies expressed their confidence in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) market.

Blandine Cressard (C), general manager of Residence G Shenzhen, receives the Corporate Social Responsibility Award. Courtesy of the European Chamber South China Chapter

Residence G Shenzhen, which offers hotel rooms and serviced apartments in Nanshan District, won the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award.

“CSR is part of our DNA. We are extremely cautious about maintaining equity, ensuring the health and well-being of our team, treating everyone fairly, and fostering an ethos of community service among our team,” Blandine Cressard, general manager of Residence G Shenzhen, said.

Representatives of some award-winning companies pose for a group photo. Courtesy of the European Chamber South China Chapter

According to Cressard, their team used to volunteer every week to accompany autistic children in Shenzhen before the pandemic struck, and now they are planning to resume this community service. Additionally, they have initiated a new volunteer project to assist elderly people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

“I believe very much in the Greater Bay Area, of which Shenzhen is a crucial part. As the world regains its confidence to invest in, work and collaborate with China, I am confident that the region’s economy will experience a rapid rebound, because Chinese businesspeople can really rebound quickly,” Cressard said.

Stos Advisory, a foreign-funded company specializing in accounting and finance, tax and human resources in China, received the Top Performers in China Award (SME).

Benoit Stos, founder of Stos Advisory, receives an interview with Shenzhen Daily. Chen Xiaochun

“Our company was set up in Guangzhou in 2018. We serve mainly European businesses developing in China, especially in the GBA. Currently, our team has 10 people altogether but we plan to expand to 20. We plan to set up an office in Shenzhen as it is a key city,” Benoit Stos, founder of Stos Advisory, said.

Stos introduced that apart from serving European companies in China, they also help Chinese companies go global, especially to the European market.

Thomas Schmitz, president of ANDRITZ China, has an interview with Shenzhen Daily. Chen Xiaochun 

“Innovation and intelligence are crucial in our business. We are producing a lot of innovative products. We have a lot of intelligent products, and we also have a lot of products which we are utilizing in the environmental sector. We are one of the frontrunners in the digitalization of processes and manufacturing industry,” said Thomas Schmitz, president of ANDRITZ China, which won both the Innovation & Intelligence Award and the HR Excellence Award.

The other award winners were Pernod Ricard China with the Top Performers in China Award (MNC), Danone Waters China with the Green Business Award, and CITIC Telecom CPCC with the Chinese Champion in Europe Award.