By John Redmond

The Australian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AustCham) will hold its annual "Business Awards" gala dinner, the social event of the year for the Korean and Australian business communities, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul at 6:30 p.m., on Nov. 10.

Nine finalist companies, five of which are Korean, are vying for the coveted awards of Best SME, Best Services Company and Trade Excellence. In addition, a special Investment of the Year Award and the Chairman's Award will be announced on the night of the gala dinner.

"This year's event highlights Australia and Korea's longstanding friendship while recognising exceptional contributors to the ever-expanding Australia-Korea business partnership," AustCham Chairman Jim Lim said

Companies competing for the first three awards are Barun Law, Macquarie Securities, Pure Commerce, BeMode/Bora, Incoaching, Ingeus, Blackmores, Botany and ComPacks.

The awards will be sponsored by a range of leading organizations including ANZ Bank, Austrade, Macquarie Group of Companies, Korea, Rio Tinto, Hyatt Seoul, Tourism Australia, Chevron, POSCO and law firm Corrs Chambers Westgarth, with Meat and Livestock Australia and KOBEAK Foods generously providing the meat.

In an exciting new development promoting audience participation, Telston will introduce SMS voting for one of the awards.

The prestigious black-tie event will be attended by prominent Korean and Australian business figures and community leaders. In the spirit of the Year of Friendship between Korea and Australia, the dinner will feature a superb four-course menu with Korean touches accompanied by fine Australian wines, a display of beautiful flowers from both countries and an eye-catching fashion show by award finalist Bora, a famous designer in Australia and Korea.

The Australian Chamber of Commerce in Korea consists of 112 corporate members and has been in existence in its current form since 2008, although the original Australian Business Group in Korea (ABGIK) was created in 1990. AustCham's primary mission is to support its members, Australian businesses in Korea and Korean businesses interested in the Australia-Korea commercial relationship and provide an effective source of information, networks and advocacy. AustCham's chairman is Jim Lim, who is also Regional Manager of Meat and Livestock Australia, Korea, and its executive director is Rod Rothwell.

2011 is the official Year of Friendship in recognition of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Australia.

For reservations to the 140,000 won gala, please contact Rod Rothwell at austchamkorea@gmail.com or visit www.austchamkorea.org.