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The Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Canada)(HKETO), Mrs Rosanna Ure, today (June 24, Canada time) visited Edmonton as part of her current series of visits to major Canadian cities to garner support for enhanced Hong Kong-Canada collaboration in the medical research and business fronts.
Accompanied by her Deputy Director, Mr Kenneth Cheng, the HKETO Director first met the Alberta Minister of Health and Wellness, the Hon Gary Mar, and updated him on the latest situation in Hong Kong including its removal yesterday from the WHO list of SARS-infected areas.
On medical research and information exchanges, Mrs Ure and Mr Mar were of the consensus view that there is scope for closer collaboration between Hong Kong and Alberta.
After calling on Edmonton's Deputy Mayor Janice Melnychuk, the HKETO Director also met the Alberta Minister of Economic Development, the Hon Mark Norris. Mrs Ure reviewed the impact SARS has had on Hong Kong and the various measures the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has taken to revive the economy. Both Mr Norris and Mrs Ure agreed that despite the setback, Hong Kong is still the ideal gateway to China, and that the Alberta business community fully recognizes this advantage.
Mrs Ure concluded her visit program by attending a business seminar entitled "Post SARS Opportunities in Hong Kong" as the keynote speaker. The seminar was organized by the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association, Edmonton Chapter, and the Alberta Ministry of Economic Development.
In Calgary yesterday, Mrs Ure met separately with the President and CEO of Calgary Economic Development, Mr Bruce Graham, and Dr Richard Musto, Deputy Medical Officer of Health, Calgary Health Region. She also hosted a press conference to launch the first Hong Kong Film Festival in Calgary.
Entitled "Gems from Asia's Hollywood - A Retrospect of John Woo", the film festival will showcase seven of the best films directed by John Woo from July 18 to 20 at The Uptown Calgary. Proceeds of the film festival will be donated to the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation.
End/Wednesday, June 25, 2003
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