Press Release - Oct. 22, 2002

The "Hong Kong � Your Fast Track to China" trade mission, to be held from November 8 to 11, has received overwhelming response from Canadian companies and the full support from the Canadian government, the Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Canada), Mrs Rosanna Ure, said today (October 22).

Up to today, 43 delegates from 34 Canadian companies or organizations have signed up to join the trade mission. Of these companies or organizations, 6 are from IT sector, 5 from biotech and high-tech sectors, 9 from environmental services sector and 8 from consulting and professional services sector, while the remainder comes from manufacturing and miscellaneous services. Geographically, 16 come from British Columbia, 9 from Ontario, 6 from Alberta, with the rest from other provinces. Besides, there is also a delegate from a local Hong Kong company.

�The excellent response indicates that the Canadian companies have a strong interest in opening up the vast China market and that Hong Kong is unquestionably the ideal partner for them to fast track to the China market,� Mrs Ure said.

Organized by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Canada) (HKETO), in conjunction with the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association, Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the �Hong Kong � Your Fast Track to China� trade mission is designed to give Canadian companies an up-to-date perspective on the vast business opportunities China presents and how they can capture the China market by co-operating with potential business partners in Hong Kong.

�We are very pleased with the turnout and we will do our best to provide business matching service and networking opportunities to our delegates,� added Mrs Ure.

Described as probably the largest trade mission to Hong Kong since the Team Canada�s Asia trip led by Prime Minister Jean Chr�tien in 2001, the �Hong Kong �Your Fast Track to China� has the full backing of the Canadian Government. The Secretary of State for Asia Pacific, the Hon. David Kilgour, together with the Alberta Minister for Economic Development, the Hon. Mark Norris, will be taking part in the event in Hong Kong.

The trade mission will start its programme on November 8 with a full-day conference. The opening ceremony will be jointly officiated by Mr Henry Tang, the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government; the Hon. David Kilgour and the Hon. Mark Norris.

Participating companies will attend general and sector-specific briefings and workshops conducted by senior Hong Kong government officials and business representatives. The comprehensive programme will also provide valuable networking opportunities for Canadian and Hong Kong companies to form partnerships. Participants will have the opportunities to meet with their prospective business partners in Hong Kong before November 8 or after November 11 to conduct more in-depth discussions and negotiations.

On November 9, arrangements will be made for delegates to visit the Hong Kong Cyberport and the Hong Kong Science Park. A side trip to China on November 11 will see participates going to Donguan and Shenzhen in the Pearl River Delta Region, visiting factories and companies owned and managed by Hong Kong companies. This will allow participants to get insight of joint venture operations which involve Hong Kong and China partners.

The 1-day China trip will be conducted with the assistance of the HKSAR Governnment�s Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong.



For more information, please contact:
John Tam, Chief Information Officer of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office at: (416) 924-5544 or email: [email protected] or
Elison Chu, Senior Information Office, [email protected] or email
Shiley Wong, Principal Consultant (Investment Promotion), [email protected]