The visit of Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr Henry Tang, fosters bilateral relations with Canada

The Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr Henry Tang, arrived in Canada yesterday (September 5, Canada time) afternoon to promote Hong Kong's IT and telecommunications advancement and to foster bilateral relations between Hong Kong and Canada.

He started his four-day program today (September 6, Canada time) with a visit to Waterloo where he addressed a business luncheon organised by the Communitech, the Canada-Hong Kong Business Association, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Canada). In his keynote speech, Mr Tang updated Canadian business leaders and the ICT industry on the latest development of IT and telecommunications in Hong Kong and what Hong Kong can offer to Canadian ICT companies in terms of investment and partnership opportunities in the Asia Pacific.

To encourage Hong Kong talents overseas to pursue their career in Hong Kong, Mr Tang took the opportunity to visit the University of Waterloo and briefed students on the latest ICT development and career opportunities in Hong Kong.

On his return to Toronto in the evening, he will have a bilateral discussion with the Hon. Jim Flaherty, the Ontario Minister of Enterprise, Opportunities and Innovation on issues of mutual interests. Subsequently, Mr Tang's delegation will have a dinner with Minister Flaherty and senior representatives of Ontario's business community.

The Secretary will fly to Charlottetown in Prince Edward Island tomorrow (September 7, Canada time) to attend the Softworld 2002 Conference. In his first visit to Canada to attend the Conference as a Principal Official of the HKSAR, Mr Tang will lead a Hong Kong IT delegation comprising representatives from the information and communication technology (ICT) sector, HKTDC and the Government.

In the margin of the conference, he will meet with the Hon. Allan Rock, Canada's Minister of Industry, for a bilateral exchange.

Mr Tang will leave Toronto for Hong Kong on Monday (September 9, Canada time).

Saturday, September 7, 2002

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