Press Release - May 30, 2005

Hong Kong is considered by Canadian companies as an excellent trading and investment platform for Mainland China and East Asia, according to a recent survey by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF).

Paul Irwin, Director of APF�s Asia Pacific Business Network, announced the key findings of the survey at the �Your Smart Link to China: HONG KONG� business forum in Ottawa today (May 30). �Canadian companies also recognized Hong Kong�s value added role in accessing the lucrative China market,� he said. �They view Hong Kong as an excellent regional base for their operations, as well as an important sourcing centre for goods from the Mainland China,�

APF is an independent, not-for-profit think tank on Canada's relations with Asia. The Foundation brings together people and knowledge to provide the most current and comprehensive research, and information on Canada's transpacific relations. It promotes dialogue on economic, political and social issues, helping to influence public policy and foster informed decision-making in the Canadian public, private and non-governmental sectors.

The survey also examined Canadian companies� perceptions on doing business in Hong Kong, and Hong Kong�s role in their business with Mainland China. �The strengths of Hong Kong�s business environment are valued by Canadian companies � particularly its good legal protection, solid infrastructure and experience and professionalism in conducting international trade,� Irwin told the 300 participant of the first annual national business forum organized by the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association.

�Certainly, one of the biggest challenges for companies entering a market like China is to source reliable partners,� he said. �Working with a Hong Kong partner � who knows their way around suppliers, distributors and other key connections in the Mainland � may make it easier to get things done.� He quoted examples of some of the Canadian organizations which recently set up offices in Hong Kong -- Stuart Energy and Luxell Technologies of Toronto, Quebec biotech company Millenia, Quebec manufacturer Canadian Buttons, and University of British Columbia

�Overall, Canadian companies are bullish on prospects in Hong Kong and in Mainland China. Hong Kong�s role as an entrepot for Canadian trade with mainland China remains secure,� Irwin said. ��They anticipate a greater increase in their sales in Mainland China market. Over half of the companies surveyed expected their investments in China will expand in the next two years.�

Held at the Ottawa Congress Centre, the forum aimed to provide a �smart link solution� to Canadian companies in charting their business strategy for China. �Many Canadian companies, especially those small and medium sized companies, are still in the process of crafting their China strategy. This is the reason why we have today�s forum, telling people business opportunities in China, the economic powerhouse leading the development in Asia,� said Bassanio So, Director of the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office (HKETO) in Canada.

Today�s forum was opened by the federal Minister of Industry, the Hon David Emerson; the HKETO Director, Bassanio So; and the Regional Director, Americas of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mr Stephen Wong.

Highlights of the forum�s discussions included:

- �CEPA & Hong Kong�s Economic Integration� by Mike Rowse, Director General of Invest Hong Kong of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG);
- �ICT Trends in Hong Kong and China� by Howard Dickson, Government Chief Information Officer of the HKSARG (Dickson was the Assistant Deputy Minister of Information Management of Canada�s Department of National Defence before joining the HKSARG.);
- �Opportunities for Natural Products in Canada�s Healthcare System� by Dr Zul Merali, President and CEO, University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research; and Dr John Arnason, Professor of the Department of Biology, University of Ottawa;
- �My Win-Win Road to China: A Hong Kong Entrepreneur�s Story� by Annie Wu, Chair of the World Trade Centre Association (Hong Kong), and Vice Chair of Beijing Air Catering Co. Ltd.; and
- �Our Launching Pad for Asian Expansion� by Gary Comerford, Vice President, International, of Sun Life Financial.

Other topics that were of great interest to Canadian companies included: �The Size & Potential of the China Market�; �Challenges & Opportunities for Importers & Exporters�; �IP Rights & Wrongs in the PRC�; �ICT Trends in Hong Kong & China�; and �Canada-Hong Kong-China Tripartite Business Opportunities for Technology Companies�.

Organized by the eight sections of the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association (HKCBA), from Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax, the forum offered participants, who are exploring business opportunities in Hong Kong and China, a comprehensive and informative one-day program. Various ways to tap into the lucrative China market were discussed.

Partners of the forum included: the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada; City of Ottawa; British Columbia Department of Small Business & Economic Development; Information Technology Association of Canada; Manitoba Trade & Investment; Nova Scotia Business Inc.; Ontario Exports Inc.; Ottawa Centre for Research & Innovation; Ottawa Chamber of Commerce; Ottawa Life Sciences Council; Saskatchewan Trade & Exporter Partnership; and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong.

The event is supported by the HKETO, Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Invest Hong Kong, and Hong Kong Tourism Board, and sponsored by the Cathay Pacific Airways, HSBC Bank Canada, Sun Life Financial, Quam Limited, Export Development Canada, Business Development Bank, I.E. Canada, Goodmans LLP, VIA Rail, and Nelligan O�Brien Payne. Media sponsors include the Canadian Business Magazine, Ottawa Citizen and Rogers OMNI. The Hotel Sponsor is Sheraton Ottawa Hotel, and the Design Sponsor is Era Integrated.


For more information, please contact: Stephen Siu, Assistant Director (Public Relations) of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office at: (416)924-5544 or email: [email protected] or Elison Chu, Senior Information Officer, [email protected]

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