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Canadian businesses looking to establish their presence in China were told today (June 2, Edmonton time) at a business forum in Edmonton that Hong Kong was playing an irreplaceable role in Mainland China¡¦s development as it further consolidated its economic links with the Mainland and the Asia-Pacific region.
About 300 delegates from across Canada, including representatives from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, attended the full-day forum at the Shaw Conference Centre.
Spearheaded by the Edmonton section of the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association (HKCBA) and supported by HKCBA chapters in Calgary, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Halifax, the 2008 HKCBA National Canada-Hong Kong Business Forum was built on the success of its past three events - in Ottawa in 2005, Winnipeg in 2006 and Toronto in 2007. The theme of this year¡¦s forum was ¡§Hong Kong ¡V Turning China into Opportunity.¡¨
¡§This forum provides Canadian business people, especially those in Western Canada, with practical advice in mapping their China business strategy,¡¨ President of the Edmonton Section of the HKCBA Mr Frankie Lee said. ¡§We target the challenges Canadian businesses face when entering the China market and how Hong Kong can help them overcome any problems by capitalising on the city¡¦s advantages.¡¨
The advantage of Canada-Hong Kong partnership was stressed by officiating guests at the opening ceremony of the forum. While describing Hong Kong as ¡§the Asian city of the future¡¨, Director of the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Canada Ms Maureen Siu, said both Hong Kong and Edmonton served as smart links - HK being the smart link to China, and Edmonton and Alberta the smart link to western Canada. ¡§We can learn from each other on our similar role as a transportation, logistics and supply hub for the neighbouring regions.¡¨
Ms Siu said Hong Kong¡¦s economy was in fine shape. ¡§We registered a very healthy GDP growth of 6.3% in 2007. Despite the US sub-prime mortgage problem, we expect our GDP to remain strong and stay at around 4 to 5% in 2008,¡¨ she said. ¡§The momentum comes of course from the big and vibrant China market.¡¨
Speaking on behalf of the Federal Government, President of the Queen¡¦s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification Ms Rona Ambrose, said, ¡§The Government of Canada recognises the importance of helping businesses take advantage of emerging opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region, and the Canada-Hong Kong partnership as well as Canada¡¦s partnership with the Asia-Pacific region 'will grow and help drive more and high value activities through Western Canada¡¦s Gateways',¡¨she said.
She cited the example of the newly announced Alberta International Business Partnering Programme, which helped innovative Alberta businesses build international partnerships and commercialise new technologies. ¡§Recognising the importance of Hong Kong as a gateway to China, participating companies will have an opportunity to temporarily locate at the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park as they develop key business relationships and introduce their products to the international marketplace.¡¨
She added that the real-life examples and advice provided through the HKCBA forum would enable western Canadian entrepreneurs to enter new markets and become more globally competitive.
Other VIPs speaking included Minister of Service Alberta Ms Heather Klimchuk, Edmonton mayor Mr Stephen Mandel, Regional Director (Americas), Hong Kong Trade Development Council Mr Stephen Wong, and the Associate Director-General of Invest Hong Kong, Mr Simon Galpin. Mayor Mandel proclaimed June 2 as ¡§Hong Kong Day¡¨ in Edmonton to acknowledge the contribution from the Hong Kong community in the Alberta capital.
Topics covered by the forum included: ¡§Business Opportunities in the Immense and Challenging China market¡¨, ¡§Your Smart Link in China: Hong Kong¡¨, and ¡§The Global Value Chain and Low Cost Country Sourcing¡¨. These topics led to further discussions on Hong Kong¡¦s dynamic position in China¡¦s economy; the Canada-Hong Kong bilateral commercial relationship; opportunities created by the emerging ¡§sold in China¡¨ market; leveraging Hong Kong as a springboard into China; and Hong Kong as the logistics centre of the Pan-PRD region.
A keynote presentation on ¡§Hong Kong: Turning China into Opportunity¡¨ was given by the Chair of the Federation of Hong Kong Business Association Worldwide, Mr Barry Macdonald, who shared with participants his knowledge and experience on how Canadian business could benefit from Hong Kong¡¦s role as the gateway in the China market.
Government officials and business experts from Canada, Hong Kong and China, who spoke at the forum included: Consul and Trade Commissioner of the Consulate General of Canada in Hong Kong Mr John Zimmerman, Vice-Consul and Trade Commissioner of the Consulate General of Canada in Guangzhou Ms Adeline Leung, Director (Canada) of Hong Kong Trade Development Council Mr Andrew Yui, CEO of retail CHINA limited in Hong Kong Ms Janet De Silva, President of Supply Chain Logistics Association Canada (SCL) Mr Robert Armstrong, Director of Cargo and Business Innovation of Edmonton Airports Mr Glen Vanstone, Vice-President (Canada) of Cathay Pacific Airways Limited Mr Philippe Lacamp, Vice-President, Economics, Scotiabank Ms Patricia Mohr, Partner, Beijing Office, Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP Mr Robert Kwauk, President and CEO, ASAT Solutions Inc., Calgary Mr Manford Kwan, Vice-President and Head of Trade, HSBC Bank Canada Mr Henry Park, and National Director, Manufacturing/Globalisation Strategy, Business Development Bank of Canada Mr Carl Gravel.
The national forum in Edmonton was also supported by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Invest Hong Kong, Hong Kong Tourism Board, the Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong.
Forum Partners included Supply Chain Logistics Association of Canada, the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation, Edmonton Chamber of Commerce & World Trade Centre, Manitoba Trade and Investment, Saskatchewan Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation, British Columbia Ministry of Economic Development, Canada China Business Council, I E Canada Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, the Asia Pacific Foundation.
Supporting Partners included Cathay Pacific Airways, Government of Alberta, Western Economic Diversification Canada, HSBC Bank Canada, Quam Limited, retail China Limited, Business Development Bank of Canada, Export Development Canada, WestJet Airlines, and REALTORS Association of Edmonton.
Canadian Business Magazine was the media sponsor; the Sutton Place Edmonton Hotel was the hotel sponsor; and Era Integrated was the design sponsor.
Ends/Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Issued at HKT 12:46
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