Prince Holding Group ("Prince Group"), one of Cambodia's largest and fastest growing conglomerates, has been named a Silver winner in the COVID-19 Corporate Response category of the eighth annual Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards (one of the world's most recognisable business awards). Prince Group Cambodia was the only Cambodian firm recognised in a category aimed at recognising excellence in COVID-19-related crisis management by Asian corporations. The Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards are the only business awards programme that recognises workplace innovation in all 29 Asian countries. For 19 years, the Stevie Awards have been widely regarded as the world's premier business awards, conferring recognition for achievement in programmes such as The International Business Awards®.
“The recognition solidifies our belief that the private sector has an important role to play in contributing to global recovery. We will continue to assist the community in Cambodia as we respond to the latest wave of COVID-19 infections,” said Neak Oknha Chen Zhi (陈志公爵), Chairman of Prince Holding Group. “On that note, we have recently rolled out vaccinations for more than 3,000 employees currently employed with various member companies. Due to our comprehensive response to the pandemic, we are pleased not a single employee contracted COVID-19 so far.”
According to the most recent vaccination data compiled by online portal Our World In Data, Cambodia had administered 2.8 million doses covering 8.6 percent of the population as of 7 May, ranking second highest in Southeast Asia in terms of vaccination rate. Prince Group is determined to assist Cambodia in regaining its footing as soon as possible and plans to vaccinate all employees, as well as continue to follow the latest instructions from authorities and keep its workforce updated and safe.
Non-governmental organisations in Cambodia that received recognition included Phare Ponleu Selpak, a Battambang-based organisation, and This Life, a Siem Reap-based non-profit organisation. A number of leading Asian companies, including Tata Consultancy Services, Link Asset Management Limited, Megaworld Corporation, Resorts World Manila, Shell Philippines, and Singtel, were also recognised in the category in which Prince Group was recognised.
The average scores of more than 100 executives from around the world serving as judges in March and April determined the gold, silver, and bronze Stevie Award winners. Read more here
The judges commended Prince Holding Group for recognising that a once-in-a-century crisis demanded an equally unprecedented response to assist the community in its hour of need.
Chen Zhi and Prince Group have prioritised the health and welfare of their employees over all other considerations since the beginning of the pandemic. So far, no employees have contracted COVID-19. Employees were permitted to work from home as needed during high-risk periods, in accordance with local regulations. To assuage any concerns and combat the spread of misinformation on social media, the Group's various member companies promptly shared news about the latest developments.
Prince Group administered COVID-19 tests to thousands of employees on four occasions. Body temperature measurement machines were also installed at all office entrances, supermarkets, construction sites, and the Prince Manor Resort to monitor the body temperature of employees and customers.
As a result, Prince Group's various member companies were able to expand operations in Cambodia, ensuring that the Group remains one of the top choices for local job seekers despite the overall Cambodian economic downturn.
In March of this year, in response to the deteriorating situation in Cambodia caused by the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, Chen Zhi led Prince Group in donating US$3 million to the Cambodian government's anti-pandemic efforts. This follows the Group's initial December donation of US$3 million to assist Cambodia in purchasing 1 million COVID-19 vaccines.
Prince Charitable Foundation, the charitable arm of Prince Group, has actively responded to local government officials' calls for assistance and has donated protective gowns to hospital workers. Meanwhile, other member companies, such as Prince Real Estate Group, have taken a number of steps to provide essential food to underprivileged families living in areas where COVID-19 infections are on the rise.
Following a well-established ESG strategy with a three-pronged focus on healthcare, education, and community engagement, Prince Group will continue to build on this success and make a difference through ESG initiatives that benefit employees, customers, and communities, as well as uphold the company's role as a responsible stakeholder in Cambodian affairs.
