THE seventh edition of the Panda d’Oro Award recorded ten awarded firms and marked a record of participations, with over 500 guests registered.

The time-honored Panda Award was conferred to Magneti Marelli, celebrating the 20th year of presence in China. Sylvain Dubois, Chairman and CEO received the prize, which was consigned by Rita Fatiguso, news correspondent of “Sole24Ore” and member of the Prize Jury.

The best project Panda Award was won by In3Act. Guido Dandolo Giacconi, co-founder and Chairman received the prize handed over by Augusto Massari, Counsellor Minister and Chief of the Economic Office of the Italian Embassy in Beijing.

Zhenjiang Economic and Technological Development Zone and Gartour were awarded ex-aequo with the Friendship Panda Award. Sergio Bertasi, Chairman of the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce delivered the prize respectively to Mr An Jiang, Member of the CCP Committee of Zhenjiang New Area Working Committee, and to Xia Changhong, China Chief Director.

The Innovative Panda Award was bestowed on Icona Design & Engineering. Enea Colombo, General Manager, and Teresio Gigli Gaudi, Chairman & CEO of Icona Group, received the prize from Amedeo Scarpa, Office Director of the ITA in Beijing.

The Ethic Panda Award was won by Ferrero China. Angelo Giardini, General Manager, received the prize conveyed by Stefano Beltrame, General Consul of Italy in Shanghai.

Linguaviva Educational and Polytechnic of Milan University were awarded ex-aequo with the Educational Panda prize. The Director of the Italian Institute of Culture in Shanghai, Alberto Manai, delivered the prizes to Alessandro Vidoni, Chairman of Linguaviva Educational Group and to Giuliano Noci, Vice Rector on Polytechnic for China.

The Best SME Panda Award was bestowed on Loccioni, for the second consecutive year. The prize was received by Andrea Alcini, Managing Director. The prize was consigned by Chris Cheung, Director of the EU SME Centre, European project whose Implementing Partner is the China Italy Chamber of Commerce.

Giacomini Heating and Cooling Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd renewed its leadership for the Panda d’Oro Award, winning the prize for the second consecutive year. Roberto Ferraro, Managing Director Asia Pacific, received the prize by the Ambassador of Italy to the People's Republic of China, H. E. Ettore Francesco Sequi.

The event was hosted by Ms. Connie Chen and Mr. Mattia Romeo.

Established in 2010, the Panda d’Oro Award is a competition organized by the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce, with the patronage of the Italian Embassy in China, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and by the Ministry of Economic Development, and promoted in partnership with the Italy-China Foundation.

The prize acknowledges and awards the Italian and Chinese firms that mainly contributed to enhance the economic relations between China and Italy.

The Ambassador of Italy to the People's Republic of China in its opening speech said: “This is the 7th edition of the Panda d’ Oro Award. The Italian and Chinese business communities are again reunited in a competitive and pleasing context to celebrate some of our friends and colleagues that worked hard and met with success in order to promote the prosperity of their companies and of our Countries”.

The Ambassador also said: “the prizes we are going to deliver tonight are not only deserved rewards to whom will receive them, but also a demonstration that Italy is a strong, modern, laborious and dynamic Country, able to combine tradition and innovation, as no other country can. A unique Country that represents not only a cultural and artistic superpower but also an incredible hotbed of scientific talents and technological innovation”.

During the event, the Chamber payed homage to Italy through a series of promotional videos on the Italian excellences in different sectors: technology, art, food and cinema. The guests could visualize and contextualize the connection between culture and manufacturing, tradition and innovation mentioned by the Ambassador.

Other promotional contents have been the presentation of the Italian Hospitality Project – Italian Restaurants In China, with anticipation of the First Week of the Promotion of the Italian Cuisine in the World, that will take place from November the 21st to the 27th, in which certified restaurants will be protagonists with degustation menus; and the live musical exhibition of the Sardinian singer Manuela Mameli.

The Panda d’Oro Award ceremony and the promotion of the “National Economic System” and of its Made in Italy have been further enhanced in the context of the celebration for the 25th anniversary of the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce. The Chairman Sergio Bertasi gave many thanks to his predecessors for their work, and he presented a video of the Chamber, collage of images of the activities, events and services promoted and organized by the association ,in order to assist the Italian companies in China and stimulate the interest of our Chinese friends towards Italy.

Sponsors of the event:

Supporting: Zhenjiang Economic and Technological Development Zone

Gold: Ferrero, In3Act

Silver: Ceramica d’Imola, EPTA INKS, FESCO Adecco, I-Tally, Icona Design & Engineering, Interglobo, Magneti Marelli, Politecnico di Milano, Sofima

F&B: Gamos Group, Fabbri, 100ITA, Gruppo Italiano Vini, Sinodrink, Ferrero, Il Botolo, Illy, Lucano-3 LAB

Technical: Hylink, Triumph Asia

Media Partner: Sole24Ore (Rita Fatiguso, News Correspondent Sole24Ore, member of the Panda d’Oro Award Prize Jury), Shanghai Daily

Lucky Draw Sponsors: MSC Crociere, Armani Hotel Milano, Francesca Furzi, Gucci, Salce-Cafiero, Zhenjiang Economic and Technological Development Zone

100ITA, Alce Nero, Baglioni Hotels, Bella Napoli, Calypso, Carpisa , CitySuper, Della Mela, DTL, Early Monalisa Exhibition, Fabbri, Ferrarelle Gruppo Italiano Vini, Hyatt on the Bund, Kempinski, Lamborghini, Linguaviva, Luigi Bormioli, Pirelli , Sinodrink, Staufen, Stay with nature

Special Thanks to: Grand Hyatt Hotel

Goody Bags Sponsors: Alce Nero, DTL, Eni, Fabbri, Ferrero, Gamos Group, Italian Style, Mylk , Sofima

For further information, photos and video of the event: sh.gala@cameraitacina.com