October 21, 2009

abs-cbnNEWS.com 10/21/2009 9:31 AM

MANILA - An executive of listed firm Chemrez Technologies Inc. has been nominated for the Asia Viewers' Choice award of the 8th CNBC Asia Business Leaders' Awards (ABLA).

Chemrez Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer Dean Lao Jr. was the only Filipino executive to make it to the final 12. He was nominated by the University of Chicago and CNBC.

"Lao was integral in the Philippines' advocacy for renewable fuels by steering Chemrez into forming partnerships and investing in research and development to come up with baseline data on the benefits of using coco-biodiesel," the specialty chemicals producer said in a statement.

Chemrez is an advocate of green technology in the Philippines. With Lao at the helm, Chemrez pushed cutting-edge research and development to introduce environment-friendly chemicals, including organic substitutes for petroleum-based products.

Chemrez’s green chemistry applications include BioSol, which is a line of degreasers that is plant-based and environment-friendly.
The ABLA is aimed at recognizing exceptional business executives in the region. According to CNBC Asia Pacific President and Managing Director Satpal Brainch, this year's ABLA is especially important as it "recognizes those leaders who have proven sustainability and continued growth during the global financial crisis."

So far, only 2 Filipinos have won in the ABLA. Ernesto Tanmantiong, the head of business unit of homegrown fastfood giant Jollibee Food Corp., received the Asia Corporate Citizen of the Year award in 2006, while former Globe Telecom Inc. chief executive officer Gerardo Ablaza Jr. got the Asia Leader of the Year and CEO's Choice of the Year awards in 2004.

The 8th ABLA will be held in Singapore on November 26 at 8 p.m. CNBC said it will accept votes for the ABLA through its website (http://www.cnbc.com/id/33017147) until Friday, October 23.