Bert De Graeve, CEO of Bekaert, received the Shanghai Honorable Citizenship Award from Mr. Han Zheng, the Mayor of Shanghai, at Shanghai City Hall.

The Shanghai Honorable Citizenship Award is the highest distinction in recognizing extraordinary contribution by expatriates to the city of Shanghai. The award was granted by the Mayor of Shanghai for Mr. De Graeve’s active participation and guidance to the International Business Leaders’ Advisory Council (IBLAC).

Mayor Han Zheng thanked Bert De Graeve for his continuous support to the city of Shanghai and referred to him as ‘an old friend of Shanghai’. He also recognized Bekaert for displaying its corporate citizenship by supporting the city, not only in terms of economic growth, but also by actively participating in the community and in various local activities.

During the ceremony, Bert De Graeve expressed his appreciation and commitment to the city: ”It is a great honor for me to receive this token of appreciation from a city with which I have developed a special relationship. Both Bekaert and myself are committed to sustain a strong Shanghai citizenship and I will personally continue to take up my role as an ambassador of the city.”

Bekaert Profile
Bekaert ( www.bekaert.com ) is a global technological leader in its two core competences: advanced metal transformation and advanced materials and coatings, and a market leader in drawn wire products and applications. Bekaert (Euronext Brussels: BEKB) is a global company with headquarters in Belgium, employing over 25 000 people worldwide. Serving customers in 120 countries, Bekaert pursues sustainable profitable growth in all its activities and generated € 3.3 billion combined sales in 2009.

Bekaert in China Profile
Bekaert is present with a manufacturing platform in China since the early nineties. The company experienced significant growth in China in recent years and operates 17 sites at 8 locations there (Shenyang, Weihai, Jiangyin, Wuxi, Shanghai, Suzhou, Chongqing, Huizhou), including 13 manufacturing plants, an R&D center and Engineering plant, a trading company, and the Regional Headquarters Bekaert Asia in Shanghai. At present, 10 000 people are working for Bekaert in China.