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Alberta Sustainable Building
Trade and Investment Mission to China
July 8, 2010
by Alberta Government
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The Government of Alberta in cooperation with the Alberta China Office and the Canadian Embassy in Beijing, has organized a sustainable building trade and investment mission to Hangzhou, Qingdao and Beijing from September 3 – 11, 2010. The mission will focus on energy efficient building systems and sustainable architecture and urban design. A program has been planned to facilitate your market assessment and new business development.
Alberta companies with the expertise to provide needed services and/or products in the specific fields and with a business interest in these markets are invited to participate:
- Manufacturers of energy and water conserving building components (walls-SIPs panel systems, roofing and flooring systems, windows, insulation, tank-less water heaters, HVAC systems)
- Architectural and urban design firms proficient in managing sustainable projects
- Service providers specializing in energy monitoring and intelligent buildings
- Business advisory service providers
Benefits
- Meet Chinese government officials and industry (builders, developers, architects, designers, engineers and building materials distributors)
- Pre-arranged one-on-one business matching
- Presentation opportunities
- Networking events
- On-site translation services
- Listing in the participant directory
Costs
- No participation fee
- Company participants will be responsible for their own travel costs such as airfare/transportation, accommodation, meals and other incidental expenses
China’s Economy and Green Building
China’s rising economic influence has affected trade and investment worldwide. With its economy averaging 9% growth annually for the past decade, rising middle class and accelerating urbanization, there is greater demand for quality housing. China’s real estate investment totalled *CA$553 billion in 2009 and represents 20% of its total fixed asset investment. Housing related taxes account for 11% of the country’s tax revenue (CA$106 billion). In addition, it is estimated that by 2015, over 50% of all worldwide construction will take place in the Greater China region.
Green building has been emphasized in both China’s 11th Five-Year Plan and its medium and long-term plans. The global financial crisis and economic slowdown in 2009 saw the Chinese government’s CA$611 billion stimulus spending directed into infrastructure construction with approximately CA$4billion allocated to green building development and environmental re-construction. Given the impact of China’s measures to control the housing bubble and the government’s interest in sustainable building design, mandated energy conservation and emissions reductions, the Chinese building industry will look for sustainable building technologies to assist them in complying with the government’s green policy.
Registration and Enquiries
Julia Mah, Trade and Investment Officer, North Asia Branch
Alberta International and International Relations (IIR)
Tel: 403-297-8904
Fax: 403-297-6168
Email: julia.mah@gov.ab.ca
Mission Registration Deadline: 22 July 2010
Canada’s Global Economic Leadership
June 21, 2010
By Paul K.P. Wong
 The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism. |
The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism released the news on Monday, June 21, 2010 8:53 AM. Canada is leading the world in the global economic recovery, said the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, who is in New York today to release a report charting Canada’s strong economic and fiscal record as compared to other industrialized nations. To complement Minister Flaherty’s event, the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism and the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Natural Resources, are also releasing the same report in London, England, and in Beijing, China, today.
Jim Flaherty said that Canada is leading the world recovery with an economic and fiscal record that is stronger than other industrialized nations. Canada’s Global Economic Leadership: A Report to Canadians demonstrates Canada is far advanced on the key priorities facing G-20 leaders, including fiscal consolidation, trade liberalization and financial sector reform.
He stated, “Our Government has responded to the recession with the right policies to stimulate the economy and create jobs. We have lowered taxes, invested in infrastructure and training, and boosted support for workers and families. We are creating more and better jobs today and for the future. Our financial system has served as a model for reforms, and our fiscal situation is the envy of countries facing crippling deficits.”
Canada’s international economic leadership is evident. As the PC government is well prepared to host the international events -- the G-8 and G-20 summits. Canada will have a great economic story to tell, and can capitalize on it.
Hong Kong as an International Potential Unlimited Financial Centre
June 11, 2010
By Paul K.P. Wong
 Miss Au King-chi speaks at a luncheon hosted by the Toronto section of the HKCBA on June 11, 2010. |
Due to the China’s strong economy has spearheaded the overall economic recovery of the region recently. Hong Kong, as an international financial centre, is in the right spot to serve the Mainland and international markets, according to a senior financial official from Hong Kong.
Miss Au King-chi, the Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Financial Services) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, was speaking on Friday, June 11 at a luncheon seminar hosted by the Toronto section of the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association (HKCBA), stressed on Hong Kong’s “unlimited potential” for Canadian investors and business people.
She said that Hong Kong had weathered the global financial crisis “in relatively good shape”, and the real GDP growth for 2010 “may exceed our earlier forecast of four to five percent.”
 (From left to right) David Matheson, Special Adviser to the Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide; Ms Sonja Chong, former HKCBA President; Miss Au King-chi, and Bob Armstrong, current President of HKCBA Toronto. |
“There is no room for complacency. We spare no effort to sharpen and capitalize our strengths in positioning ourselves as an international financial centre,” Miss Au said. “These include our simple and low taxes, free flow of information and capital, a stable and fully convertible currency, a predictable and certain regulatory regime, a versatile and flexible workforce, as well as a free economy buttressed by the rule of law and an independent judiciary.”
She highlighted the strategic focus placed by the Hong Kong Government on Renminbi (RMB) offshore business, asset management activities and capital formation services, in further developing Hong Kong as an international financial centre.
First, Hong Kong as an offshore RMB centre.
“Mainland China has announced its policy goals for the internationalization of RMB. Hong Kong is the preferred testing ground for RMB reforms before the capital account fully opens. We believe this is the best way to promote the use of RMB outside the Mainland in an orderly manner,” Miss Au said.
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Miss Au pointed out that Hong Kong is the first and only place outside Mainland China that has developed a RMB bond market. “The RMB Trade Settlement Scheme was launched in July 2009, fully leveraging our RMB settlement and clearing platform, which is the most effective and largest outside the Mainland,” she said.
“We seek to attract more RMB liquidity, develop more RMB products and allow more RMB market players to perform an effective intermediary role,” she added. “With greater RMB liquidity, more RMB products and more market players for RMB intermediation, we expect to anchor a critical mass of RMB business in Hong Kong,” she said.
Second, Hong Kong as an asset management centre.
“Hong Kong has a sizable fund management business, over 64% of which is sourced from overseas investors. We are well placed to serve global institutional investors and meet asset management demand from Mainland China, with our access to the Mainland and international markets.”
Third, Hong Kong as a capital formation hub.
Hong Kong was the most active market in 2009, with US$31 billion raised through Initial Public Offerings (IPOs), putting itself as “Number One” in the world. “We are committed to broadening the source of listed companies to attract quality issuers to our capital formation platform,” she said. “To achieve this, Hong Kong will continue its efforts to improve the listing process and refine listing requirements in line with international standards.”
“To maintain Hong Kong’s position as an international financial centre, only a quality market can be a sustainable market in attracting quality products and players,” Miss Au said. In parallel to market development efforts, Hong Kong is implementing a series of financial market reforms to strengthen investor protection and make its legislation more user friendly. “We’ll ensure that our regulatory regime is in keeping with the evolving international standards,” she added.
“We see great potential for Hong Kong to flourish as an international financial centre as we continue to improve our market quality and make our market more user friendly,” she said. “Hong Kong is the prime location especially for tapping into Greater China.”
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LEARN TO SPEAK CHINESE:
Corporate Mandarin with Joanna
Participants will learn conversations under business and social situations such as greetings, introduction, shopping, business banquet, etc. You will also learn key cross-cultural issues when doing business with the Chinese. The official Romanization system will be used; Chinese characters are not required. We can also customized a course for your company.
For information, tel: 403-288-8377 or
email: info@CorporateMandarin.com
Website: www.CorporateMandarin.com
Energizing Investment
March 10, 2010
by Government of Alberta
Alberta has long been Canada’s “energy province.” With a wealth of energy resources yet to be tapped and a growing global demand for energy, Alberta continues to maintain its position as a secure and reliable energy supplier. Our province is among a top tier of jurisdictions that have the resource base, expertise, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit to serve the world’s increasing energy needs.....
SALES CHANNELS - OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGES OF DEVELOPING A NEW MARKET
March 4, 2010
by Canada Export Centre
In the last 2 years Canadian Exporters have relearned the lesson that having all our eggs in one export basket (i.e. the US) can be extraordinarily risky.
In our last message we compared the huge diversity of exporting destinations that Australia enjoys compared to those of Canada and concluded this was the largest contributing factor that sustained their strong economy during the global economic downturn.....
WHY ON EARTH WOULD WE DO BUSINESS WITH THE CHINESE?
February 8th, 2010
by Canada Export Centre
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Perhaps we should ask ourselves - Why would the Chinese want to do business with us and how working with China can profoundly improve your business?
Positive Increase in Number of Travellers from China to Canada
December 17, 2009
By Paul K.P. Wong
On December 16, 2009, the Honourable Diane Ablonczy, the Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism) celebrated the positive increase of Chinese travellers to Canada in her Ottawa office.
Today, the International Travel Survey released its report for October 2009 said that the travellers from China have increased by over 3% compared to October 2008. Ablonczy optimistically said, “The strength of the Chinese market is very positive news for Canada’s tourism industry. Full Article...
CHINA: WHY CANADIAN EXPORTERS NEED TO TAKE ACTION
December 9th, 2009
by Canada Export Centre
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Canadian exports to the middle kingdom stand at roughly one third of Australia’s. In terms of trade, China may be to Australia what the US is to Canada, but the Port of Vancouver is virtually the same distance to China’s eastern coastline as Australia is.
Meanwhile, on this side of the Pacific, what can Canadian exporters, so heavily reliant on the US market, reasonably expect from their US partners as they struggle to emerge from the current US economic downturn? Full Article...