Press Release -- November 3, 2005

Ontario Economic Development and Trade Minister Joseph Cordiano was briefed today (Thursday) on Hong Kong’s important role as the gateway to the Mainland China market prior to his departure for a trade mission to China and Hong Kong this Friday.

The trade mission, to be led by Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, will visit Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing and Hong Kong from November 6 to November 15.

At the briefing given by the Director of the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office (Canada), Mr Bassanio So, the two parties exchanged views on the role of Hong Kong as a gateway for Ontario companies to enter the Mainland China market.

Mr So welcomed the Premier and the 60-member Ontario business delegation to Hong Kong and encouraged Ontario companies to collaborate with the research facilities and expertise in Hong Kong to service the Mainland China market, especially the booming Pearl River Delta area. Mr So and Minister Cordiano also exchanged views on possible future collaboration between Hong Kong and Ontario in the areas of life sciences, auto parts and IT industries.

The Ontario trade delegation to China and Hong Kong comprises of many business sectors including agriculture; architecture/planning/engineering services; automotive; education; environment; financial services; information technologies; life sciences; mining; and tourism.

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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]

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