For Release
October 10, 2007
Vancouver, British Columbia — A new report released
today by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, with support from Western
Economic Diversification Canada, demonstrates how Canadian companies are
successfully doing business with Asia. The report, Leading the Way
– Canadian Business Strategies in Asia was announced at S.U.C.C.E.S.S.’
Choi Hall by Russ Hiebert, Member of Parliament for South Surrey-White
Rock-Cloverdale and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National
Defence, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen’s
Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister
of Western Economic Diversification.
“Canada’s New Government is proud to support projects that
help Canada capitalize on the growing commercial opportunities in the
Asia–Pacific region,” said Mr. Hiebert. “I hope that
the success stories outlined in the report and website launched today
will inspire Canadian entrepreneurs to develop innovative strategies targeting
Asia in their global market goals.”
Leading the Way provides an analysis of 15 Canadian companies
with successful business strategies in Asia. The 15 companies range from
small- and medium-sized businesses to large enterprises. They represent
a small but growing number of Canadian firms that are actively developing
new approaches to doing business with Asia.
“The case studies provide examples of Canadian entrepreneurs who
are responding to the growing economic importance of Asia. They are making
a significant contribution to the broader Asia Pacific Gateway strategy
that seeks to build stronger business ties with Asia,” said Yuen
Pau Woo, President and Co-CEO of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.
For the past 18 months, the Foundation has been conducting research on
the Asia Pacific Gateway and completed a series of convening sessions
across Canada to understand the impact of Gateway initiatives on supply
chains, import and export opportunities, education and cultural exchanges.
The results from these sessions and other research publications are available
at a new Gateway website that was officially launched today.
The Asia Pacific Foundation is Canada's leading independent resource
on contemporary Asia and Canada-Asia relations. As a national non-profit
organization established by an Act of the Federal Parliament in 1984,
the Foundation brings together people and knowledge to provide the most
current and comprehensive research, analysis and information on Asia and
on Canada's transpacific relations. It promotes dialogue on economic,
security, political and social issues, helping to influence public policy
and foster informed decision-making in the Canadian public, private and
non-governmental sectors. The Foundation is funded principally through
an endowment from the Government of Canada and a grant from the Province
of British Columbia.
Western Economic Diversification Canada is a department of the Government
of Canada that works in partnership with the provinces, industry associations
and communities to encourage diversification of the western economy, as
well as to represent the interests of the West in national decision-making.
Leading the Way is a summary report of the business strategies
of 15 companies. Individual reports and detailed analysis of each of the
companies are available at Leading the Way: Canadian Business Strategies
in Asia: www.asiapacificgateway.net/research/leading_the_way.cfm.
The Asia Pacific Gateway website is available at: www.asiapacificgateway.net.
For additional information, contact:
Jillian Glover
Western Economic Diversification Canada
T: (604) 666-7543
C : (604) 306-1386
Melina Czerwinski
Communications Assistant
Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
Tel: 604-630-1540
Email: melina.czerwinski@asiapacific.ca
