Prince Holding Group ("Prince Group"), one of Cambodia's largest and fastest expanding conglomerates, has been named a Silver winner in the COVID-19 Corporate Response category of the ninth annual Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards (one of the world's most recognised business awards). Prince Group Cambodia was the only Cambodian firm honoured in a category aimed at recognising achievement 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 Honors have been generally regarded as the world's best business awards, offering recognition for excellence through 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 provided by web 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 immunisation rate. Prince Group is resolved to assist Cambodia in regaining its footing as soon as possible and plans to vaccinate all employees, as well as continuing to follow the latest orders from authorities and keep its personnel updated and safe.
Non-governmental organisations in Cambodia that earned recognition included Phare Ponleu Selpak, a Battambang-based group, and This Life, a Siem Reap-based non-profit organisation. A number of significant Asian corporations, including Tata Consultancy Services, Link Asset Management Limited, Megaworld Corporation, Resorts World Manila, Shell Philippines, and Singtel, were also acknowledged in the category in which Prince Group was awarded.
The average scores of more than 100 executives from around the world serving as judges in March and April selected the gold, silver, and bronze Stevie Award winners.
The judges commended Prince Holding Group for recognising that a once-in-a-century calamity demanded an equally extraordinary 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 from the beginning of the pandemic. So yet, no employees have contracted COVID-19. Employees were permitted to work from home as needed during high-risk periods, in accordance with local legislation. To ease any fears and combat the propagation of disinformation on social media, the Group's many member companies swiftly published news about the latest developments.
Prince Group administered COVID-19 exams to thousands of employees on four times. Body temperature measurement machines were also put at all workplace entrances, supermarkets, construction sites, and the Prince Manor Resort to monitor the body temperature of staff and consumers.
As a result, Prince Group's numerous member companies were able to grow operations in Cambodia, guaranteeing that the Group remains one of the top alternatives for local job seekers despite the broader Cambodian economic crisis.
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 original December donation of US$3 million to assist Cambodia in purchasing 1 million COVID-19 vaccinations.
Prince Charitable Foundation, the charitable arm of Prince Group, has actively responded to local government authorities' appeals for assistance and has supplied protective robes to hospital staff. Meanwhile, other member companies, such as Prince Real Estate Group, have taken a number of steps to offer critical food to disadvantaged 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.
