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Hong Kong is well placed to partner with Canadian companies to participate in the Belt and Road initiative and tap business opportunities along the Belt and Road, said the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, in Toronto, Canada today (February 10, Toronto time).
Addressing the lunch roundtable for the business community co-organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) and the Greater Toronto Area section of the Hong Kong – Canada Business Association, Mr So said the Belt and Road initiative encourages closer economic as well as cultural co-operation among some 60-plus economies, particularly those emerging economies spanning Asia, Europe and Africa.
As Hong Kong has what Canadian enterprises need in a strategic partner as they venture into markets of the Belt and Road countries, Mr So encouraged Canadian entrepreneurs to make full use of Hong Kong's advantages in tapping the massive Asian markets and beyond.
Before the luncheon, Mr So visited the Digital Media Zone (DMZ) at the Ryerson University. The DMZ is one of Canada's largest business incubators for emerging technology start-ups. Mr So met with its Interim Provost and Vice President Academic, Dr Chris Evans, to learn more about the contributing factors to its success and explore how Hong Kong can learn from its strategy.
Mr So also met with the Chairperson of the Canada-Hong Kong Friendship Group of the House of Commons of Canada, Mr Michael Chong, to exchange views on issues of mutual concern.
In the afternoon, Mr So met with the Canadian Minister of International Trade, Ms Chrystia Freeland, and signed an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement. At the ceremony, Mr So said the signing of IPPA would further deepened the economic and trade relations between Hong Kong and Canada and bring mutual benefits and economic prosperity to both places.
In the evening, Mr So attended a Chinese New Year celebration dinner with the Hong Kong community in Toronto.
Mr So will continue his visit to Toronto tomorrow (February 11, Toronto time), visiting the Onatario Centres of Excellence.
Ends/Thursday, February 11, 2016
Issued at HKT 08:27
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