Hong Kong-born Canadian small business minister Mary Ng eyes China opportunities as trade ties fray with United States
New minister of small business and export promotion is in Hong Kong to drum up support as Canadian firms seek to expand their Asian footprint
Canada aims to boost exports to mainland China and Hong Kong and woo investment from both markets for Canadian companies seeking to expand their Asian footprint as it navigates an uncertain future with its largest trading partner, the United States.
Beijing, Tianjin, Shenzhen and Hong Kong were the ports of call this week for Canada’s new Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion Mary Ng, on her first international trip after being appointed to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet in July.
In Hong Kong on Friday she met Secretary for Innovation and Technology Nicholas Yang Wei-hsiung along with venture capitalists and business leaders including billionaire tycoon Li Ka-shing’s son Victor Li Tzar-kuoi, who recently took over the reins of the family business.
Ng, who was born in Hong Kong but migrated to Canada with her family 42 years ago, said her role was to help Canadian companies look for opportunities globally, especially in Asia.
“There are many customers here that I think will want Canadian goods and services and collaborations. So we’re very much interested in helping Canadian companies grow into these markets,” the 49-year-old said.