Question: What is the major difference between this trade mission as compared with the others?

Answer: One special feature of this Trade Mission is the "pre-mission business matching service". When a company has registered with us, we will ask it to fill in a questionnaire. The questionnaire contains questions such as its line of business, its business plan, its technology or product and what kind of business partners it is looking for in Hong Kong.

Upon receiving the information, a thorough check will take place whereby the Canadian company's business profile and expectation are matched with the companies in Hong Kong that also have an interest in teaming up with overseas players. The names of these companies will be supplied to the Canadian company in question before the mission starts. We hope that the Canadian company will start the dialogue with these potential partners right away so that by the time the delegation goes to Hong Kong, more concrete and detailed discussions will take place.

Question: What is the database in Hong Kong like? Which organizations will take part in business matching in Hong Kong?

Answer: In order to attract overseas investors to Hong Kong, the Hong Kong government has established a department called Invest Hong Kong. The department has intimate knowledge of the business community of Hong Kong and maintains a large database. Besides business matching, Invest Hong Kong also provides services ranging from obtaining information on renting of office space, to helping expatriate officers to look for school places for their children.

Apart from Invest Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council also provides matching service to those more interested in import/export of products.

We are also extremely glad to have the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong as one of our partners. The Chamber has 750 members which are Canadian companies currently doing business in Hong Kong. It will also take part in the business matching exercise, so you may end up partnering with a Canadian company currently operating in Hong Kong!

Apart from these, we are still in negotiation with a number of sector-specific business associations in Hong Kong to see if they are interested in matching their members with the delegates.

Question: What will the media sponsors (Report on Business TV and Fairchild TV) do to promote the mission?

Answer: Report on Business TV is a national English business channel. Fairchild TV is a Chinese television channel with coverage in major cities across Canada. Prior to the mission, they will interview selected companies that have registered. Their experienced journalists will also accompany the mission back to Hong Kong to cover the event. With ROB's national coverage, it will be an excellent opportunity for the companies to get exposure in Canada, whereas the Chinese program will be shown not only in Canada but also in Hong Kong and Southern China.

Question: What are the networking opportunities while the delegates are in Hong Kong?

Answer: The luncheon to be co-hosted with the Hong Kong Venture Capital Association is an excellent opportunity for high tech companies which are looking for capital. The Association has a membership of 140 venture capital firms and business professionals. Given the fact that Hong Kong is the second largest venture capital centre in Asia, we strongly believe that this is the place to be in when you are looking for a financial partner in Asia. The Canadian Consul General in Hong Kong Mr. Anthony Burger has very kindly agreed to host a reception on November 8. This is another occasion where you will meet guests invited by Mr. Burger.

Immediately following the optional side trip to southern China on November 11 is the Hong Kong Forum organized by the Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide. Our own Hong Kong Canada Business Association plays a very active role in this Federation. At the Forum, delegates who belong to business associations from around world that have an interest in Hong Kong will meet. Through this extensive network, you will be able to meet not only Hong Kong companies but also companies/ individuals from 22 countries.

Question: My company is a small to medium size company and we are interested in exploring the Hong Kong and China market. Will this trade mission be suitable for me?

Answer: Our trade mission is ideal for SMEs because the registration fee is kept very low. For a small registration fee, you may enjoy services provided by the organizers and other supporting associations, ranging from information gathering, business matching to networking opportunities.

The pre-mission business matching ensures that your time in Hong Kong is well spent, and that you will have the chance to enjoy free consulting service from our Principal Investment Consultant here in Toronto before and after the mission.

Question: What information and insight will the trade mission provide on how to conduct business in China?

Answer: Apart from the government's perspective, we are pleased to have Professor Paul Beamish from Richard Ivey Business School as one of our speakers. Professor Beamish is a China expert, particularly in joint venture. He has worked with numerous multinationals in the studies of their business cases in Asia. Professor Beamish will share with the delegates his insights on how to get ahead and avoid pitfalls when conducting business in China.

Question: If I am interested, when should I register?

Answer: As soon as possible. Bearing in mind the potentially large number of companies we have to go through, it will be ideal if we can get your registration and questionnaire very soon so that we can start the matching work. Bear in mind also that some of our business matching is done by not-for-profit organizations in Hong Kong and they may have difficulty dealing with a huge influx of questionnaires within a short period of time.

Please click here to register.

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