Hong Kong (HKSAR) - With the Prime Minister of Canada, Mr Stephen Harper, about to set off for an official visit to China this month, the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Toronto, Ms Gloria Lo, on February 1 (Vancouver time) described Hong Kong as the right gateway for the further strengthening of Canada-China business links across the Pacific.
Speaking to more than 80 media representatives at a spring dinner reception in Vancouver, Ms Lo said that Hong Kong would continue to "go global" together with the Mainland and act as the premier gateway for overseas enterprises to explore business opportunities in China.
The media dinner was jointly organized by the HKETO and the Canadian office of the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
"As a practical measure to facilitate trade, the Mainland will further open up its service sectors to Hong Kong through the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement. This would present new opportunities for Hong Kong and those overseas, including in Canada, who would like to do business with Mainland China through Hong Kong," Ms Lo said.
Hong Kong remains an excellent place for business and is the freest economy in the world, according to the Fraser Institute in Canada and the Heritage Foundation in the United States.
"With the full support of our Central Government under its National 12th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong will continue to develop and consolidate its status as a global financial centre and an international trading and shipping centre," Ms Lo said.
"Specifically, the Central Government supports us to further develop Renminbi offshore business and our six new growth industries in the areas of testing and certification services, medical services, innovation and technology, cultural and creative industries, environmental industries and education services."
According to the World Economic Forum, Hong Kong has the strongest financial system to support economic growth, and it has remained at the top position in the world for three consecutive years in terms of fundraising through initial public offerings.
"There is a saying in Chinese, 'Tian shi, di li, ren he', which means that if you want to succeed, you need to do the right thing at the right place, at the right point of time, and with the support of the right people and connections through the right people," she said.
"In the context of trade, I would think that despite all the uncertainties in the global economy, there is a favorable environment, right here in Canada now, for us to promote business and trade with Hong Kong."
Ms Lo said that in the coming months, the HKETO would organize a series of trade promotional activities in different Canadian cities with a focus on certain sectors and industries in which there are complementary aspects between Hong Kong and Canada.
The HKETO will continue to support the Hong Kong Trade Development Council in organizing Canadian trade missions to Hong Kong, while its Invest Hong Kong desk will provide assistance to Canadian companies that are interested in establishing their business in Hong Kong.
During her two-day visit in Vancouver, Ms Lo also met with the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association and visited some media organizations.
Source: HKSAR Government
