|
Canadian trade delegation in Shanghai
By Qin Jize (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-01-17 22:29
A Canadian delegation, headed by the Minister of International Trade and
including some 250 Canadian companies, arrives in Shanghai Tuesday to begin an
8-day visit to promote bilateral exchange and investment.
The group, including 365 business leaders, is expected to fly to the Chinese
capital on Thursday, coinciding with the visit of Canadian Prime Minister Paul
Martin to Beijing and Hong Kong.
Martin and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will witness the signing of several
bilateral economic, political and cultural agreements during his 4-day visit,
which ends on Sunday.
The mission will then jet out to Hong Kong on Saturday's afternoon.
"This is the first comprehensive trade delegation from Canada in the last
year," said J. Ian Burchett, counselor of Public Affairs at the Canadian Embassy
in Beijing.
He said Canada sends out various kinds of trade missions to China throughout
the year. "We have a specific one every month, featuring different industries,"
he said.
This time, the Canadian business delegation represents a range of sectors,
such as financial services, education, energy, natural resources,
transportation, agri-food, information and communication technologies,
biotechnology, aerospace and tourism.
Burchett said such a large and comprehensive trade delegation occurs every
two years.
In 2001, then-Prime Minister Jean Chretien visited Beijing, leading a
600-strong trade mission to China, including provincial and territorial leaders,
mayors, and representatives of academic institutions.
The programme being tailored in Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong will consist
of seminars and conferences, hospitality events and networking opportunities
designed to introduce mission participants to local government decision-makers
and local business leaders, as well as Canadian business people active in the
region.
James Peterson, Canada's international trade minister, said that broadening
and deepening bilateral trade and investment with countries like China, Brazil
and India is a priority for Canada.
"Canadian companies need to be much better positioned in these markets if
they are to participate fully in the market growth that is expected," he said in
a statement.
Officials from International Trade Canada and at the Canadian Embassy in
China will work with the delegates to identify potential business partners.
According to the Canadian Embassy in Beijing, China is Canada's
second-largest trading partner after the United States. For the first 10 months
of last year, Canada's exports to China increased by 54.8 per cent compared to
the same period in 2003. As such, China continues to offer tremendous commercial
potential for Canadian businesses.
"The trade mission represents an excellent opportunity for Canadian business
people to explore and understand the Chinese market and vice versa," said Zhang
Yijun, former Chinese Ambassador to Canada.
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
Today's
Top News |
|
|
|
Top China
News |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
