The 2008 Australia China Business Awards held in Hong Kong in November demonstrated the diverse range of industries and scope of innovation by Australian companies in China reports Sophie Loras.

Among the winners was Macquarie Group Limited which took out the Business Excellence Award for a company with more than 100 employees, after it raised equity for China Railway Construction Corporation’s US$5.8 billion IPO.

Davis Laris Creates took out one of the most diverse categories – the Business Innovation award – beating Australian ship building company Austal Ships, Medic Vision and Sai Cheng Logistics, a joint-venture between Australia Post and China Post.

"A lot of chefs could just sell their name or focus on one area such as recipes books, whereas David Laris focuses on a whole range of aspects from the design of restaurants to staff training,” said Ingram of Australian chef, David Laris’s win. “He seems to have trained his people, who he trusts and relies on to deliver his services.”

Other winners were Australian biodegradable plastics manufacturer Biograde (Business Excellence, SME), URBN Hotels & Resorts (Sustainable Development) and Beijing-based public relations company Illuminant Partners (Business Entrepreneurial).

"As a business model, Illuminant Partners was very impressive – they have grown their business very quickly in a very competitive market,” said Ingram.

Hunan-based Ausnutria Dairy took out the ACBA’s newest award, Business Promotion, which was established to recognise Chinese companies promoting Australian products in China.

In selecting the winners, companies had to show why they were successful, their profitability and that they had positive growth.

"They have all spent the time and resources to understand China and develop a strategy for China – they have done their homework and committed the resources and are all here for the long run,” said Ingram of the finalists.

"You can’t expect to show up in China and expect overnight success – it takes time and resources."