“The Time has come it get it done.”
This rather blunt, but some might say needed statement comes from Brian Mulroney, senior partner at the law firm Ogilvy Renault LLP, during a recent visit to Beijing. In his remarks, printed in the National Post, Brian comments on the need to strengthen foreign investment in both countries and calls for a Canada-China Investment Agreement. The Agreement, he notes, the two countries have been working on for more than 10 years.
Brian also gives a bit of a history lesson as he describes how Canada prepared itself for foreign business and allowed greater access from foreign markets. He noted the adherence to certain economic models and also the acknowledgement at the time, for growth in policy development.
Brian then looks to the future as Canada emerges from the recession, and comments on the importance of Asian markets in the economic recovery, the significance of the global value chains and also the need for countries to go beyond just economic responsibility.
To take a closer look at his comments, you can read the National Post’s article “The promise of a Canada-China alliance.”
Photo by storyvillegirl
Canada and Hong Kong sign MOU on investment promotion co-operation.
“Canada places great importance on enhancing its commercial relations with Hong Kong and recognises the benefit of increasing two-way investment between our economies,” according to Mr David Emerson, Canadian Minister of International Trade. “Hong Kong, an international financial centre, ranks third among Canadian investment destinations in Asia.”
Hong Kong’s Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Fred Ma, welcomed the MOU signing and highlighted Canada’s longstanding recognition of Hong Kong as a strategic investment destination.
“This is an important step which reinforces the well-established ties between Canada and Hong Kong,” Mr Ma said. “We look forward to this MOU benefiting investors in both our economies, and promoting overall economic growth.”
He encouraged Canadian companies to fully utilise the opportunities arising from the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) between Mainland China and Hong Kong. The Arrangement provides Hong Kong goods and services with preferential market access opportunities in Mainland China. This will benefit foreign-owned or controlled companies incorporated in Hong Kong.
The MOU will also help identify strategic investments from Hong Kong into smaller Canadian companies who are seeking capital and local market expertise to launch business opportunities into Mainland China. Investment promotion is an important part of the new Global Commerce Strategy of the Canadian government.
A series of seminars will be jointly organised by the Hong Kong Commerce and Economic Development Bureau and Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. These seminars will take place later this year in cities across Canada to explain the benefits of the CEPA to Canadian business leaders.
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