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To increase trade between Ontario and Hong Kong as well as Mainland China is the goal of a new, interactive, online dialogue that shares and solicits information about Sino-Canadian trade and investment.
A partnership between the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) and the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association, "VENTURES, your Ontario Canada ¡ª Hong Kong China business dialogue", was officially launched today (May 22, local time) at the Ontario Investment and Trade Centre. The project has the support and contribution of some of the heavyweights in trade between the two countries: the Government of Ontario, the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.
VENTURES is one of the outcomes of the¡°China Initiative¡± launched earlier between the OCC and the Hong Kong Family ¡ª the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Canada, Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Hong Kong-Canada Business Association.
¡°Business expansion into China and South East Asia isn¡¯t just for large companies,¡± said Frank Monteiro, President of the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association in Toronto. ¡°Our members of all sizes have tapped into the enormous opportunities there using Hong Kong as a platform, and we look forward through VENTURES to show other companies how they can access that market as well.¡±
VENTURES is designed as a¡°new dialogue¡±¡ª encouraging its readers in Ontario, Hong Kong and Mainland China to share their experiences and thoughts. In a typical blog format, they can post articles, questions, and engage other readers in discussion. VENTURES also shares success stories, new developments in the two markets, and tips and advice about bridging the geographic divide.
¡°We¡¯re very excited to get people talking about new frontiers for trade and investment and what better way than to venture into the Web 2.0 world,¡±said Len Crispino, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.
The success story of a small Toronto-based commercial interior design firm, full scale + partners inc., is currently featured in VENTURES. The company has undertaken some major design jobs in Shanghai and Hong Kong. According to its spokesperson, Hong Kong is a good choice for handling all the administration of China trade since English is commonly used in contracts, the British common law system has been retained, and legal procedures are similar to those used in Canada.
¡°Hong Kong and Mainland China represent unparalleled opportunity for businesses in Canada,¡± explained Maureen Siu, Director of the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office. ¡°We hope the information and stories on VENTURES will give Ontario¡¯s small and medium enterprises more confidence about trading with Hong Kong, China¡¯s financial centre, and Mainland China.¡±
VENTURES can be found at www.venturesdialogue.ca
Ends/Friday, May 23, 2008
Issued at HKT 11:30
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