Posted in: Press Releases

November 19th, 2007

To better inform Quebec businesses about Hong Kong’s unique advantages and how they can make use of Hong Kong’s free trade agreement with Mainland China to establish their presence in the area, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO), Hong Kong SAR Government’s representative Office in Canada, is planning to intensify its promotional activities in the Francophone business community.

The HKETO Director Mr Bassanio So said while business people along Canada’s west coast are making full use of Canada’s Pacific Gateway strategy and Hong Kong’s stepping-stone role in doing business with Mainland China, companies in Quebec should follow suit and not to miss the boat.

“Hong Kong, as an international financial and trade centre, is an ultimate choice for setting up offices for investing in the Mainland, a channel for international investors to invest in the Chinese enterprises that are listed in Hong Kong, and a base for Canadian financial institutions to offer investment products and services to Chinese investors.

“The opportunities ahead for Canadian businessmen and investors, including those in Quebec, are abundant and wide-ranging if you make use of Hong Kong as your base for expanding into Mainland Chinese market. The outcome will certainly be a win-win situation for Quebec, China and Hong Kong,” Mr So said.

Mr So said despite some companies in Quebec have considerable presence in Hong Kong, further measures have to be taken to encourage the business community in this Francophone province to do business in Hong Kong or with Hong Kong in China. The HKETO has recently engaged National Public Relations in Montreal to provide support in tapping further into the unique Francophone market. A strategy is being mapped out by National.

Quebec companies currently operating in Hong Kong cover different sectors including transportation, financial, retail, telecom infrastructure and equipment, lighting, apparel accessories, and precious metals.

(Photo caption) Picture shows the Director of the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office, Mr Bassanio So (right), recently signing a contract with National Public Relations in Montreal (represented by National’s Managing Partner Mr Marc Sevigny) to map out a business promotion strategy in Quebec.

- 30 -

For further information, please contact Stephen Siu, Assistant Director (Public Relations), of the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office at Tel: 416-924-5425, e-mail: [email protected], or Senior Information Officer Elison Chu at Tel: 416-924-7374, e-mail: [email protected].

Click here to download a Chinese version of this press release in PDF format.