March 3, 1999
(Industry, Trade and Technology)

Seminar and workshop to focus on Hong Kong market

Hong Kong offers a virtually untapped business opportunity for Newfoundland and Labrador companies, and tomorrow businesses in the province will have the chance to explore the possibilities for trade and investment at a seminar and workshop.

"One of the keys to expanding our export base in the province is to seek out viable, new markets to do business with. This workshop and seminar will give companies in the province an opportunity to gain valuable insight into the Hong Kong market from experienced business and government consultants," said Minister Sandra Kelly.

The seminar will be conducted by Andrew Yui, Canadian director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, and Loong Chu, principal industrial consultant, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Hong Kong SAR Government. Both have offices in Toronto and will be lending their combined expertise on the Hong Kong market to participants at the seminar.

"There is no doubt that Newfoundland and Labrador has the potential to enhance our direct trade and investment relationship with Hong Kong," noted Minister Kelly, adding that the province exported about $2.5 million in goods and services to Hong Kong in 1997, and imported just under $1 million from Hong Kong.

Following a meeting with Industry, Trade and Technology representatives at Softworld '98, which was held in St. John's last September, Yui and Chu decided to host a seminar and workshop for local companies in Newfoundland and Labrador. They said that they believe the current business linkages can be built upon to increase trade relations between the two regions. During the seminar and workshop, they will encourage Newfoundland and Labrador companies to take advantage of opportunities to expand to Hong Kong.

The seminar and workshop will be held at the Hotel Newfoundland on Thursday, March 4, and approximately 30 companies are expected to attend. The event is being co-sponsored by the Department of Industry, Trade and Technology, the Alliance of Manufacturers and Exporters Newfoundland, and both Hong Kong organizations. The attending companies will represent a host of sectors including technology, manufacturing, marine industries, fisheries and environmental.

Media contact: Doug Burgess, Director of Communications, (709) 729-0050.

1999 03 03 10:25 a.m.