Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) (HKETO), Ms Emily Mo, spoke at the launching ceremony of the Women's International Network (WIN) hosted by the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association (HKCBA) (Toronto Section) on June 8. WIN is committed to empowering and encouraging women entrepreneurs in the furtherance of international business and exchanges between Canada and Hong Kong, and via Hong Kong to Asia.
In delivering a greeting message at the launching ceremony, Ms Mo noted that Canadian women entrepreneurs are key to Canada’s economic success, yet only 16% of the small and medium-sized businesses are owned by women at present. Studies show that by advancing gender equality and women’s participation in the economy, Canada could add up to $150 billion in GDP.
“In Hong Kong, over 35% of the mangers, administrators and professionals are women, and the city is a perfect launchpad for Canadian companies seeking expansion into the Mainland China and Asia markets,” Ms Mo said. Ms Mo also highlighted Hong Kong’s active participation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area which offers abundant opportunities for companies from Canada and around the world.
Ms Mo pointed out that Hong Kong will continue to play its unique role as an international financial, transportation and trading centre, a global offshore RMB business hub and an international asset and risk management centre as affirmed by China’s latest National 14th Five-Year Plan.
Beyond the mainland of China, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is Hong Kong’s 2nd biggest trading partner in goods, and 4th largest in services. “Hong Kong’s Free Trade Agreement and related Investment Agreement with ASEAN can boost business and investment opportunities throughout this huge and fast-emerging trade bloc in Asia,” Ms Mo said.
Before closing, Ms Mo congratulated HKCBA (Toronto Section) for the launch of WIN, which is part of the 2021 Hong Kong Week organised by HKETO. “The Hong Kong Week programme this year includes the cheongsam exhibition and related talks and workshops. There is also a business webinar with the Chief Secretary of Administration Matthew Cheung Kin-chung on 23 June, and a dragon boat exhibition in Vancouver,” Ms Mo said.
香港經貿處處長恭賀港加商會成立「婦女國際網絡」
香港駐多倫多經濟貿易辦事處（香港經貿處）處長巫菀菁於六月八日在港加商會（多倫多分會）舉辦的「婦女國際網絡」啟動禮上致辭。「婦女國際網絡」成立的目的是致力支持及鼓勵女性企業家參與加拿大和香港之間的商業活動及交流，並透過香港邁進亞洲。
巫菀菁在啟動禮上致歡迎辭時指出，加拿大女性企業家是加國經濟蓬勃的關鍵，但現時只有16%的中小企由女性持有。研究顯示，如果促進性別平等及婦女參與經濟發展，加拿大的國內生產總值可以增加 1,500 億加元。
巫菀菁表示：「香港有超過35%的經理、管理人員及專業人士為女性，而香港亦是加拿大公司開拓業務至中國內地及亞洲市場的理想跳板。」巫菀菁同時強調，香港積極參與粵港澳大灣區發展，而該區為加拿大和世界各地的企業提供龐大商機。
巫菀菁指出，最新的國家《十四五規劃綱要》確認香港將繼續發揮其作為國際金融、航運及貿易中心、全球離岸人民幣業務樞紐，和國際資產及風險管理中心的獨特地位。
除了中國內地，東南亞國家聯盟（東盟）亦是香港第二大商品貿易夥伴及第四大服務貿易夥伴。巫菀菁表示：「香港與東盟簽訂的《自由貿易協定》及相關《投資協定》將有助促進兩地在這龐大且急速發展的亞洲經濟圈的雙邊經貿及投資機會。」
最後，巫菀菁恭賀港加商會（多倫多分會）成立「婦女國際網絡」，而啟動禮亦是香港經貿處舉辦的「2021香港周」的其中一項活動。巫菀菁表示：「本年度的『香港周』活動包括長衫展覽及相關的講座和工作坊、由香港特別行政區政府政務司司長張建宗於六月二十三日主講的網上研討會，及在溫哥華舉行的龍舟展覽。」
