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The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Toronto (HKETO) and the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association (Edmonton Section) yesterday (March 17, Edmonton time) jointly presented the Investment Pitch Competition (iPic) in Edmonton for the third consecutive year. The competition formed part of the series of events featured in HKETO's major promotion "Hong Kong under Spotlight" across Canada.
Speaking at the award presentation ceremony, the Director of the HKETO, Miss Gloria Lo, said that this competition provided a great occasion for students to understand and explore the business potential in new Asian markets through Hong Kong. Miss Lo said, "Hong Kong has now become the sixth largest export market of Canada, and one of the favorite places for Canadian foreign direct investment in Asia. Last year, the Government of Canada identified Hong Kong as one of the priority markets in its Global Markets Action Plan. The Alberta government also promotes diversification for its long term economic development and encourages the business community to explore new markets and new sectors including Hong Kong."
Miss Lo further remarked that Hong Kong is an ideal business and trade partner of Canada, with its economic freedom, sound systems, level playing field, simple and low taxation and superb infrastructure. She said, "Hong Kong is also an important gateway for business in other parts of Asia, especially Mainland China with which Hong Kong has strong connections and bilateral free trade agreement and tax agreement."
Miss Lo also gave an update on Hong Kong to the event participants. In terms of the infrastructural developments, the first berth of the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal came into operation last year and the second berth will be commissioned later this year. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link will be completed in 2015, followed by the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in 2016. To support the long term development of Hong Kong's aviation and logistics industries, the Airport Authority Hong Kong is planning the third runway for the Hong Kong International Airport. On regulatory regime, Hong Kong's new Companies Ordinance has just commenced operation to enhance corporate governance and help reduce the compliance costs of companies.
"We will also develop Hong Kong as a Smart City through wider application of information technology and make Hong Kong a more liveable city by improving air quality and investing in recycling and waste management. All these developments will give rise to new business opportunities in relevant sectors and industries," Miss Lo added.
With the great success in Edmonton, iPic will be brought to Calgary and Montreal later this month.
To celebrate the close cultural and business link with Hong Kong, the Greater Edmonton Area, following the City of Vancouver, also proclaimed this week as the "Hong Kong Week" with a kick-off celebration at the Singing Strings Orchestra Gala staged on March 16 to feature a selection of classical music from the East and West ranging from jazz to the Hong Kong popular songs performed by special guests including Mr Tommy Banks and Mr Chan Wing-leung. The event was also attended by senior provincial government officials.
Ends/Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Issued at HKT 05:11
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