S P Tao wins Business China Excellence Award 2010

S P Tao, owner and manager of the World Trade Centre and Havelock City project, was awarded the Business China Excellence Award at the inaugural Business China Awards held in Singapore on January 11.

Tao, who founded the Shin Kwan Group, won the award for his contribution to paving ties between Singapore and China. Gracing the occasion was Minister mentor Lee Kwan Yew who presented the awards.

Tao paved the way for closer economic cooperation between Singapore and China through his pioneering business ventures. He is deeply connected in China, and his views were sought by the Singapore government in the bilateral Suzhou Industrial Park Project which was awarded the Business China Enterprise Award.

The Business China Awards (organized by Business China and jointly presented by OCBC Bank, supported by Business Times and Lianhe Zaobao) aim to honour outstanding businessmen, entrepreneurs, professionals and organisations for their successes and contributions to Singapore - China relationships and the appreciation of the Chinese language and culture.

The judging panel comprised representatives of business, academia and media through a rigorous and transparent process sifting through nominees from both Singapore and China.

Taos’ property business is an international one that extends to China, Indonesia and Sri Lanka and through ORCL currently developing the 4.5 mn sq ft Havelock City, a mixed use freehold complex of residences, retail, entertainment and offices. He is currently conceptualising a town project as part of his plans to improve the development of Chinese cities.

Tao has always been considered a great friend of Sri Lanka and a true visionary investor; with his iconic landmark projects World Trade Centre and the Havelock City project now into its 2nd phase for completion end of 2011.

Philanthropist

While having a mind for good business Tao also has the heart of a philanthropist devoting much energy to charitable causes in China. He is the chief sponsor of the Tao Shing Pee education foundation founded in 2000 to offer financial aid to Chinese nationals pursuing MBA’s in the USA. In 2006 Tao set up the Tao Shing Pee Bursary to help fund the tertiary education. In his hometown of Jiangshu Tao has made substantial donations over the last 30 years towards improving the quality of education.

Courtesy: Business Times Singapore