Date: April 20, 2004

Organizers: Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office, Hong Kong Trade Development Council

Event: Breakfast Workshop

Topics: Business Opportunities for Canadian Companies under the CEPA Free Trade Agreement between Hong Kong and China

Synopsis

The Mainland China-Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement “CEPA”, has come into effect since January 1st 2004. This landmark free trade agreement provides market liberalization commitments towards Hong Kong and its overseas business partners – ahead of and beyond China’s World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments.

CEPA:

• Eliminates tariffs on 90% of Hong Kong goods exported to China
• Provides preferential treatment to Hong Kong services providers in 18 major services sectors, and
• Simplifies cross-border trade between Hong Kong and China

SPEAKERS:

Bassanio So, who represents the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, will share his views on the relevancy of this Hong Kong-China free trade agreement to Canadian companies to gain faster and preferential access into the China market.

Andrew Yui who represents Hong Kong’s trade promotion agency, will then offer a viable package to assist interested Canadian companies to start exploring the market potentials in Hong Kong and China.

Elizabeth Thomson, President, ICS Trust (Asia) Ltd., Hong Kong will share her expertise on structuring with “Hong Kong – Your Headquarters for Doing Business in China” by

David McNamara, Consul & Senior Trade Commissioner, Consulate General of Canada in Hong Kong on “Update on Hong Kong Business Opportunities”

This event is suitable for participation by Canadian exporters/importers/service providers who wish to start or expand their businesses with Hong Kong or with China through Hong Kong. Multipliers (e.g. bankers, lawyers, accountants, etc.) may also like to identify at this event the various additional values that they can add to their customer service, i.e. helping their SME clients to diversify their businesses from North America to Asia.