Toronto to "Think Asia, Think Hong Kong"

Event to Promote Benefits of Partnering with Hong Kong to Unlock Opportunities in Asia, Particularly the Chinese Mainland

TORONTO, April 27, 2015 /CNW/ - Toronto will host the largest-ever Hong Kong symposium targeting the Canadian business community this spring. The June 8, 2015 event will showcase Hong Kong's advantages for Canadian companies looking to tap new business opportunities in Asia, particularly on the Chinese mainland.

"Think Asia, Think Hong Kong" will feature a trade delegation of senior officials as well as Chinese investors. The event is organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, (HKTDC) with support from 16 Hong Kong partners and more than 40 Canadian supporting organisations.

High profile speakers at the event will include the Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, Donald Guloien, President and CEO of Manulife; Bob Agnes, Executive VP and General Manager of Asia Pacific Operations for Mitel Networks Corp; and Janet De Silva, President and CEO of the Toronto Region Board of Trade. Speakers from Hong Kong include the Honourable CY Leung, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and Norman Chan, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority.

"As the global economic balance continues to shift to Asia, Hong Kong more than ever is the ideal business platform from which to tap the myriad of regional business opportunities now available in the growing ASEAN area or in the Chinese mainland," said HKTDC Executive Director Margaret Fong.

"Our low taxes, free economy, rule of law, English-speaking environment and world-class business services make us the preferred partner for overseas businesses wishing to tap these growing possibilities. We also play a key role as Asia's financial services hub, which includes being an RMB centre for trade settlements and a gateway investment for Chinese mainland outreach."

As of June 2014, there were 45 regional headquarters and regional offices in Hong Kong. Many major Canadian companies are represented in Hong Kong including: Bank of Montreal, the Royal Bank of Canada, Air Canada, Four Seasons Hotel, and Manulife International.  As of November 2014, there were approximately 19,520 Canadian citizens residing in Hong Kong.

Symposium attendees can attend sessions on:

• Selling to China and throughout Asia
• Chinese outward investment – Hong Kong as the gateway
• RMB Internationalisation – A New Era for Global Trade and Finance
• Hong Kong – A Base for Technology Companies to Grow Their Asian Business

Networking activities will also be organised, with more than 100 Hong Kong government officials and business leaders from across sectors including technology, finance, food and professional services taking part in the programme, along with business matching sessions onsite. 

For more information on the event, please go to: http://www.thinkasiathinkhk.com/2015/en/index.html

About the HKTDC

A statutory body established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and service providers. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com. Follow us on  Google+  Twitter @tathk_usa Twitter @tathk_can  LinkedIn

SOURCE Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)

Media Enquiries: Gwen McGuire, Kaiser Lachance Communications, (416)-948-6500, [email protected]