| The JABC congratulates Chris Rees, JABC Committee Member
and Senior Business Analyst and Consul General Designate
to Osaka, Austrade, on receiving the CITCSA 2008 Award
for Outstanding Long-term Contribution by an Individual
or Organisation. Chris was presented with the award by
Deputy Premier Kevin Foley and CITCSA Chairman Mr Nick
Begakis AM at the CITCSA Awards Gala Dinner held on the
5th of September in Adelaide. |
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In announcing Chris as the recipient, the presenter gave
an overview of Chris's contribution to the South Australian
Business Community:
"Chris commenced his career as a trader with Mitsui
& Co (Aust) Ltd and later worked as an executive recruitment
consultant in Japan and a product manager for a food processing
firm in Australia. He has since held a number of positions
within Austrade in Japan, Hong Kong and Australia in various
capacities as a trade commissioner and consul. Chris became
State Manager South Australia for Austrade in February, 2003,
and has since been responsible for helping countless South
Australian businesses succeed in export markets.
During his time abroad and in Australia Chris has developed
an excellent network of contacts which has been of tremendous
help to the South Australian Business Industry. He is especially
talented at forging links between government bodies and businesses.
Chris is a valued committee member of the Japan Australia
Business Council (JABC) of South Australia and was instrumental
in the re-launch of the Council in 2006, and in facilitating
a visit by Dr Yukio Hattori (The Iron Chef) to South Australia
in that same year. Through his strong interest and passion
for Japan, Chris has been an invaluable resource in the development
of ties between South Australia and Japan.
Chris has been an active Board Member of CITCSA for the
past five years, and been very supportive of the CITCSA charter.
He is always willing to assist member organisations of CITCSA
and recently compared the Hong Kong Australia Business Association
Business Awards evening. He has also been a Committee Member
of the Australia China Business Council.
Chris's senior involvement in the Business SA Export Awards
each year and the International Business Week are noteworthy.
He has also recently been appointed to the South Australian
Business Ambassadors Network.
Chris's extensive contribution over the past five years
has seen him provide outstanding support to South Australian
exporters, emcee countless events, give hundreds of presentations
(including many in Japanese), and give tirelessly of his time
and experience to the betterment of South Australian business."
Chris will be missed following his move later this year to
commence his new role as Consul General to Osaka. We wish
Chris much success in his new role and congratulate him on
this significant achievement!
Photos from the dinner have been uploaded to the Photo
Gallery.
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