(International Trade Canada)
International Trade Minister Jim Peterson concluded a successful Canada Trade Mission to Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong, China, the largest ever led by a trade minister. During the mission, which took place
from January 18 to 25, 376 Canadian delegates from 280 companies and various government departments and agencies further developed commercial ties in China and established new ones with Chinese partners. More than 100
agreements were signed between Canadian and Chinese companies.
"The number of sectors represented on this mission shows how eager Canadian and Chinese business people are to explore bilateral commercial
opportunities. Governments in both countries are actively putting into place frameworks to help make that happen," said Minister Peterson.
"With China redefining global trade, a China business plan is
no longer an option for Canadian companies; it's a must."
In the past week, Canada and China have signed 10 agreements that will further stimulate commerce and cooperation in the areas of culture, the
environment, natural resources, commercial insurance, agriculture and food safety, science and technology, nuclear energy, and education.
Joint statements were also issued that outlined further commitment to
enhancing bilateral relations in a number of key areas, including multilateral cooperation, natural resources, energy, and trade and investment. Finally, a common paper was issued to define the scope of the Canada-China
strategic working group, further progress was made on a foreign investment protection agreement and China agreed to recognize Canada as an officially approved travel destination.
In Shanghai, the largest
commercial centre in China, in Hong Kong, the major hub in financial services and transportation, and in Beijing, the political centre, delegates from across Canada used the trade mission to network and develop useful
relationships during sectoral workshops, plenary sessions and networking events.
Prime Minister Paul Martin helped the Canada Trade Mission during his visits to Beijing and Hong Kong from January 20 to 23, where
he met with Chinese political leaders and business people and Canadian delegates.
China is Canada's second-largest single-nation trading partner after the United States, and its first in Asia. Priority sectors
for this trade mission included agriculture and agri-food, information and communications technologies, aerospace, biotechnology, education, natural resources, transportation, financial services and tourism.
Canada is facing new challenges, but also remarkable opportunities in the global marketplace. It is actively building an emerging markets framework, which will be informed by the trade missions to China and Brazil, an
upcoming trade mission to India in the spring and a series of ongoing consultations with Canadian stakeholders.
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