Ventures Dialogue

Capitalizing on business opportunities using the Hong Kong platform

More than 600 trade delegates from across Canada are in Hong Kong this week to capitalize on business opportunities emerging in Asia, and they do not go there without advance preparations. On the contrary, they’ve been making strategic preparations for months before their departure through the assistance of the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association (HKCBA), Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office (HKETO), Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) and the Consulate General of Canada in Hong Kong.

Business opportunities emerge from every economic crisis.

Instead of retreating under the current financial crisis, these Canadian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are in Hong Kong to expand their business diversification strategies. Some of these delegates want to address the growing demand for environmental technologies in the region. Co-hosted by the Canadian Consulate General in Hong Kong, Industry Canada and the HKTDC, an Environmental Partnering Seminar took place on October 27, 2008 for eleven Canadian companies to present their technologies and know-how on solutions that target air pollution protection, solid waste management, water and waste water treatment, odour control, energy saving technologies, greenhouse gas accounting and reporting as well as filtration systems for commercial kitchens and restaurants. These Canadian companies will also join the Canadian Stand at the Eco Expo Asia (environment trade show and conference) in Hong Kong from Oct 28 – 31, 2008.

Concurrently, a 145-member Team HKCBA Delegation — by far the largest from any economy — will be in Hong Kong for the Hong Kong Forum scheduled for October 30 – 31, 2008. These HKCBA delegates from across Canada will join 300 counterparts from other Hong Kong Associations in other parts of the world to obtain first-hand updates on the developments and business opportunities of Hong Kong, China and the region, to exchange views, establish contacts and discuss co-operation.

For the other concurrent trade shows taking place in Hong Kong during the week, HKTDC has also invited more than 400 buyers from Canada to conduct sourcing activities at these events at events like the Hong Kong Lighting Fair, Sports Source Asia, the Hong Kong International Building and Decoration Materials & Hardware Fair, and the Hong Kong International Furniture Fair.

These are just some of the ongoing activities of the growing Canada-Hong Kong business momentum. Upcoming sector-specific activities helping Canadian SMEs going to the Hong Kong platform in a strategic way will cover the following industries:

• Optical (November 6 – 8, 2008)
• Toys & Games and Stationery (January 5 – 8, 2009)
• Fashion (January 12 – 15, 2009)
• Financial services and investment (January 19 – 20, 2009)
• Jewellery (March 4 – 8, 2009)
• Film and digital technology (March 23 – 26, 2009)
• ICT (April 13 – 16, 2009)
• Electronics (April 13 – 16, 2009)
• Medical technology and equipment (April 14 – 22, 2009)
• Houseware (April 20 – 23, 2009)
• Gifts & premium (April 27 – 30, 2009)
• Printing & packaging (April 27 – 30, 2009)
• Life Sciences (August 10 – 14, 2009)
• Food (August 10 – 14, 2009)

Interested parties should watch out for further announcements at this VENTURES site or contact Jill Chien of the HKTDC Toronto Office at Tel. No.: (416) 366-3594 for details of these sector-specific upcoming initiatives.

Photo by TheNHBushman.