110 Participants Attend Ontario-China Seminar

Minister Cordiano pledges to “open doors” for Ontario companies in China

Economic Development and Trade Minister Joseph Cordiano, speaks with John Crossley of the University of Waterloo and Colin Beaton of Watt International during Tuesday's Ontario-China seminar.

The information-packed seminar was held for Ontario companies interested in joining the Ontario Mission to Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing and Hong Kong from November 6 - 15, 2005.

Patrick Li of EDA International, a planning firm which has landed several large contracts in China in the past five years, also spoke of the advantages of travelling to China with a government delegation. “Government endorsement is very important in China,” Li told seminar participants. “Chinese government officials respect the opinion of their government counterparts.”

Assistant Deputy Minister Robin Garrett reviewed the itinerary for the ten-day mission to Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing and Hong Kong. The Ontario delegation will host business lunches, dinners and receptions at each location. Plenary sessions will be followed by break-out sessions tailored to the sectors represented by participating companies.

Michael Martin of International Trade Canada stressed the importance of China as an export destination for Ontario companies. “It's time to get serious about China. It's going to affect you and all Canadians for the rest of your lives,” Martin told seminar participants. He pointed out that China did more than USD1 trillion in trade last year, making it the world's third largest trader and added that by 2010, China will be the largest trader in the world. Shirley Wong of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office promoted Hong Kong, which uses British common-law, has close ties to Canada and a long history of free-enterprise, as a natural entry point to the mainland Chinese market.

Roy Norton, the Ontario Government's Chief of Protocol, told participants they have an opportunity to influence the message Premier McGuinty and Minister Cordiano deliver to Chinese business people and officials during the mission. “The Premier and the Minister are prepared to advance the particular agendas of Ontario businesses but we need to know what opportunities you are pursuing so we can prepare the Minister and the Premier to speak on your behalf,” Norton said.

Hope Jaglowitz, Director of Export Development at Ontario Exports Inc., closed the seminar by encouraging companies to register early for the mission. “The earlier we know about your company objectives the better job we can do tailoring the mission program to your needs,” she said.