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Director of the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office (HKETO) in Canada Ms Maureen Siu has told Canadian companies there are huge opportunities in Hong Kong and mainland China for Canadian green products and service providers.
Speaking at the annual Canada China Environmental Forum in Toronto today (June 8, Toronto time), Ms Siu said that many of Hong Kong's environmental initiatives might interest Canadian businesses. "We have pledged close to CAD$5 billion on infrastructure projects directly related to our environmental drives in the next five years," she said.
She cited examples of a district cooling system for a redeveloped area at the former Kai Tak International Airport, a sludge treatment facility, and an integrated waste management facility.
In her opening remarks to the 80 participants of the forum, including business leaders, government representatives, policy experts, potential investors, developers, and other stakeholders in the environmental industry between Canada and China, Ms Siu reminded them of the opportunities in the Hong Kong-Guangdong collaboration to develop the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region into a green quality living area.
"Hong Kong is now working with Guangdong, and we will collaborate in the areas of clean air, clean energy, clean production," she said. "Hong Kong has already set aside CAD$14 billion to support Hong Kong firms operating in the PRD to introduce cleaner production measures."
"The vision of this green PRD quality living area is underpinned by a number of measures that open market access for Hong Kong companies," Ms Siu said. "In turn, the free trade and open market environment in Hong Kong will facilitate participation by services providers from overseas, like companies from Canada."
Under CEPA (Close Economic Partnership Arrangement) between Hong Kong and the Mainland, foreign companies can qualify after they register and operate in Hong Kong for the required number of years, or they could get into joint partnership with a Hong Kong company.
Ms Siu said Hong Kong companies could now take part in China's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) which was announced by Beijing recently. "Hong Kong companies can now access this vast and fast-growing market either solely on their own or in partnership with foreign companies that are more experienced in CDM projects or the technology concerned."
Ends/Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Issued at HKT 11:34
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