Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto)

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) (HKETO) and the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association (HKCBA) in Canada co-hosted a webinar on November 17 to discuss the economic prospects in Hong Kong and ways to maximize business return through Hong Kong.  Director-General of Investment Promotion of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, Mr Stephen Phillips, and Director of the HKETO, Ms Emily Mo, gave opening remarks at the webinar entitled "Structuring Your Asia Business Expansion for Maximum Return".  

In delivering the opening remarks at the webinar, Ms Mo first updated the participants on the HKSAR Government’s efforts and progress in controlling the pandemic. “During the global pandemic, Hong Kong has been one of the most successful cities that continue to maintain its status as an international financial and business hub with relatively low number of COVID cases,” Ms Mo said.

With the rebound of business in Asia, Hong Kong is also making good progress. “The Canadian retail giant Couche-Tard announced entry into Asia with acquisition of Circle K HK; the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership was signed recently and Hong Kong is keen to be part of it. Moreover, Hong Kong and Singapore will launch the quarantine-free air travel bubble on 22 November,” Ms Mo continued.

Ms Mo encouraged Canadian companies to consider diversifying their businesses to Asia through Hong Kong. “Hong Kong has a powerful combination of favourable business advantages - its prime location, high-speed communication, free flow of information and capital, low and simple tax system, as well as rule of law, makes the city a leading international business and financial centre,” Ms Mo said.

Regarding some recent speculation of Hong Kong’s rule of law being possibly undermined in light of the introduction of the National Security Law and disqualification of Legislative Council Members, Ms Mo clarified that the rule of law as well as the various legitimate rights and freedoms are the fundamental core values of Hong Kong and are much cherished by the HKSAR Government and community.  

Before closing, Ms Mo invited Canadian companies to use the Hong Kong platform to maximize their business return.  Other speakers at the webinar including representatives of Ernst & Young Canada and Hong Kong Corporate Services Group, as well as Head of InvestHK Canada Mr Christopher Chen who introduced the services offered by InvestHK for Canadian companies.