************************************************************
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO), Hong Kong SAR Government's representative Office in Canada, is planning to intensify its promotional activities in the Quebec business community.
The HKETO will tell Quebec businesses about Hong Kong's unique advantages and how they can make use of Hong Kong's free trade agreement with Mainland China to establish their presence in the area.
The HKETO Director, Mr Bassanio So, said that while business people along Canada's west coast were making full use of Canada's Pacific Gateway strategy and Hong Kong's stepping-stone role in doing business with Mainland China, companies in Quebec should follow suit and not miss the boat.
"Hong Kong, as an international financial and trade centre, is an ultimate choice for setting up offices for investing on the Mainland, a channel for international investors to invest in the Chinese enterprises that are listed in Hong Kong, and a base for Canadian financial institutions to offer investment products and services to Chinese investors.
"The opportunities ahead for Canadian businessmen and investors, including those in Quebec, are abundant and wide-ranging if you make use of Hong Kong as your base for expanding into the Mainland Chinese market. The outcome will certainly be a win-win situation for Quebec, China and Hong Kong," Mr So said.
Mr So said that despite some companies in Quebec having considerable presence in Hong Kong, further measures had to be taken to encourage the business community in this Francophone province to do business in Hong Kong or with Hong Kong in China. The HKETO has recently engaged National Public Relations in Montreal to provide support in tapping further into the unique Francophone market. A strategy is being mapped out by National.
Quebec companies currently operating in Hong Kong cover different sectors including transportation, financial, retail, telecom infrastructure and equipment, lighting, apparel accessories, and precious metals.
Ends/Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Issued at HKT 12:01
NNNN
