HONG KONG - "Think Asia, Think Hong Kong", a major promotion event, will be held in Toronto, Canada on 8 June and in Chicago, the United States on 10 June. Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the event highlights Hong Kong's business services advantages to Canadian and US companies seeking opportunities in Asia, particularly on the Chinese mainland.
Thinking Big
Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR Government, CY Leung, will speak at the events in Toronto and Chicago which are expected to attract more than 1,500 participants in each city. Other high-profile participants include Vincent Lo, Chairman-designate of the HKTDC; Laura Cha, Chairman of the Financial Services Development Council, Hong Kong; Norman Chan, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority; Peter Lam, Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board; and James E. Thompson, Chairman of Crown Worldwide Group.
"Think Asia, Think Hong Kong creates a unique environment for Hong Kong companies to promote their service excellence to a targeted audience in North America," said HKTDC Executive Director Margaret Fong. "It also offers North American entrepreneurs a fresh perspective on Hong Kong's advantages as an ideal business platform as the centre of economic gravity continues to shift towards Asia."
More than 100 government and business leaders from Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland will be taking part in the promotion which is supported by 16 Hong Kong partners as well as more than 80 supporting organisations in the US and Canada. Participating sectors include technology, ICT, digital entertainment, finance, food and wine and professional services with business-matching sessions organised onsite.
Business Elite
Ed Fast, Canada's Minister of International Trade; Bob Agnes, Executive VP and General Manager of Asia Pacific Operations for Mitel Networks Corp; Donald Guloien, President and CEO of Manulife; Les Mandelbaum, President of Umbra; Janet De Silva, President and CEO of the Toronto Region Board of Trade and Donald J.P. Ziraldo, President of Ziraldo Estate Wines will be among the speakers at "Think Asia, Think Hong Kong" in Toronto.
In Chicago, Stefan Selig, United States Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade; William Daley, Managing Partner and the Head of United States Operations, Argentiere Capital AG; Morgan McGrath, Managing Director, Head of International Banking, JP Morgan; Gebhard Rainer, President and COO of Coach and Scott Schroeder, Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer of Garrett Brands will be among other business leaders.
Asia Beckons
The main symposiums and thematic sessions will explain why North American companies seeking opportunities in Asia should consider leveraging Hong Kong's business advantages. They will also look at how mainland enterprises have been expanding their international presence through Hong Kong, and what they are looking for when they seek global partners. Thematic sessions will cover:
- Selling to China and throughout Asia
- Hong Kong: The Gateway for Chinese Outbound Investment
- RMB Business
- Hong Kong - A Base for Technology Companies to Grow Their Asian Business
On A Mission
Several industry and investment missions from Hong Kong and the mainland will be in Toronto and Chicago during the "Think Asia, Think Hong Kong" promotion.
- A Hong Kong-Guangdong Joint Investment Mission will explore collaboration opportunities between project owners in North America and Chinese corporate investors via Hong Kong's services platform
- A food and wine mission will highlight Hong Kong's position as a trading and transshipment hub in Asia for wine and food
- An ICT and digital entertainment mission will showcase the prospects for North American tech companies to partner with Hong Kong enterprises and tap new markets
- Also, a technology mission will visit the US cities of Chicago as well as Washington DC and San Diego to unlock new business opportunities for US tech companies in Asia through Hong Kong
Strong Ties
As a premier business and financial hub in Asia, Hong Kong has established strong trade links with North America. Some 1,400 US firms operate in Hong Kong, among which 800 have their regional headquarters and regional offices in the city. The US is Hong Kong's second-largest trading partner, behind the Chinese mainland, with bilateral trade of almost US$72 billion in 2014. The US is also the second most important destination for Hong Kong exports valued at over US$43.7 billion last year.
Hong Kong also has a long history of business and cultural relations with Canada. As of June 2014, there were 45 regional headquarters and regional offices of Canadian companies in Hong Kong. Many leading Canadian multinationals are represented in the city and trade flows between Canada and Hong Kong exceeded US$4.5 billion in 2014.
About 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. With more than 40 global offices, including 13 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises trade fairs and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in overseas markets, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and media room. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com. Follow us on Google+, Twitter @hktdc, LinkedIn.
Contact:
HKTDC
Communication and Public Affairs Department
Joe Kainz
Tel: +852 2584 4216
Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org
