The Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Canada) (HKETO), Mrs Rosanna Ure, visited Winnipeg (Canada time, May 21) and met with Dr. Stefan Wagener, Science Director, Biosafety and Environment and Chief Administrative Officer, and a few other scientists at the Canadian Science Centre for Human and Animal Health to discuss strengthened collaboration between Hong Kong and Canada on microbiology research.
The National Microbiology Laboratory at the Centre is one of the world's leading institutions in microbiology research and control of infectious diseases, and has played a vital role in the fight against SARS in Canada. Two of its environmental experts were among the WHO members in Hong Kong to investigate the causes of SARS outbreak in Amoy Gardens.
Mrs Ure expressed her appreciation to the participation of the Laboratory's experts in the WHO's effort to help Hong Kong understand the spread of the SARS virus, and hoped to strengthen the connection between the Laboratory and its counterparts in Hong Kong through her visit.
"Both Hong Kong and Canada are at the forefront of SARS research. The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has announced the HKSAR Government's commitment in developing a CDC-type of organization for the fight and prevention of SARS and other infectious diseases. I am sure there will be a lot of scope for collaboration between the National Microbiology Laboratory and the planned research centre in Hong Kong," said Mrs Ure after the meeting and a guided tour of the research facilities at the Laboratory.
Dr. Wagener said: "We are very happy to welcome Mrs. Ure to the facility. As we have witnessed in the last two months, international collaboration in infectious disease research is essential if we want to protect the world's population.
"We, at the Canadian Science Centre for Human and Animal Health, are very enthusiastic about the opportunity to collaborate with researchers in Hong Kong and around the world."
Apart from visiting the National Microbiology Laboratory, Mrs Ure also met with Mr. Milton Sussman, Deputy Minister of Health of Manitoba, Mr. Hugh Eliasson, Deputy Minister Trade of Manitoba, and gave a luncheon presentation to a group of Winnipeg business leaders.
In the luncheon talk, she updated them on the latest SARS situation in Hong Kong, including the HKSAR Government's effective measures to bring the disease under control, and presented to them the tremendous business opportunities in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta region.
She urged Canadian businessmen not to lose sight of the fundamentals of Hong Kong as a world-class business and financial centre and reminded participants that the short-term impact of SARS should not derail the long-term economic developments of Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta Region.
End/Thursday, May 22, 2003
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