Calgary Celebrates Hong Kong for Business & Pleasure

Hong Kong’s appeal as both a tourist and business destination were highlighted by special festive events in Calgary in August. The city’s first ever “Hong Kong Day” crowned three days of activities featuring Hong Kong as a land of opportunity for Canadian businesses and a city of vibrant culture for Canadian travellers.

Along with a lively street festival, Calgarians were treated to the “Living in Hong Kong – Past and Present” exhibition, a photographic display of Hong Kong’s vitality and a stunning 23-minute “pyromusical” fireworks production.

The Director of the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office (HKETO) in Canada, Mr Bassanio So, described the street festival as a step forward in relations between "the heart of Canada's new west" and Asia's world city – Hong Kong.

The proclamation of August 28 as Hong Kong Day by Mayor Dave Bronconnier recognized the contribution of the Hong Kong community to the Canadian fabric. About 10 per cent of the Calgary population is of Asian descent, and many came from Hong Kong. 



A business seminar informed Calgarians about the myriad opportunities in Hong Kong and China. Deputy Director of the HKETO, Mr Francis Ho, described Hong Kong’s advantages as a launch pad for Canadian businesses into Mainland China, thanks to the implementation of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), the booming Mainland economy, Hong Kong’s participation in the Pan-Pearl River Delta regional cooperation and the conducting of renminbi business in Hong Kong.

He pointed out that, in 2003, the Pan-PRD region accounted for about 40% of China's GDP, with total foreign trade of more than US$800 billion. 

"The 11 Pan-PRD governments have agreed to strengthen co-operation in 10 areas, including infrastructure, business and trade, investment, and tourism,” he said. “The development potential of Pan-PRD regional cooperation, and hence the prospects for foreign investors, are enormous.”

The seminar attracted over 80 participants from Calgary corporations, financial institutions and small and medium businesses. Other speakers included the Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mr Andrew Yui, and Vice-president of the Calgary Economic Development, Mr Clark Grue. 

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