Press Release - Markham China Business Mission a Success

Markham China Mission results in new business opportunities in China, establishes Markham as a key base for Chinese business in Canada

MARKHAM … The 24-member business delegation, led by Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, has returned from its successful twelve-day mission to China. The delegates participated in 24 meetings in Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, and Hong Kong; met with over 600 qualified contacts in China and Hong Kong and held over fifty one-on-one follow-up meetings.

“Markham has long recognized the importance of building international relationships as a way to create a prosperous and healthy future for our community. It was very exciting to be able to introduce our business leaders to a wide variety of high quality business opportunities and to meet so many Chinese executives interested in investing and doing business in Markham” said Mayor Scarpitti.

Technology business executive Jamie Allan of Artaflex was impressed by the prospects for his firm. “Without traveling to China to see it for yourself, it is impossible to truly appreciate both the competitive nature and sea of opportunity that this market represents to a growing company like ours.”

Markham’s China Business Mission was a first step for local businesses seeking to investigate opportunities in China. It also advanced established relations for organizations with previous China experience. “The York Region District School Board signed a Memorandum of Understanding and is now in dialogue with the Wuhan Education Commission as a result of this mission”, said Hugh McKeown, Executive Director of the Board’s Learning Connections international division.

Mission delegates included representatives from a wide variety of sectors including technology, education, finance, aviation, and business services. “This mission opened doors for us to lay the foundations for negotiating pilot training contracts with major airlines in China. We couldn’t have advanced our prospects so quickly if we hadn’t participated in this mission”, said David Ho of Markham-based Toronto Airways.

“The itinerary of 12 days in four cities with 24 delegates from the private and public sectors was intense and very effective in helping us meet with qualified prospects and investors,” said Regional Councillor Tony C. Wong, Economic Development Chair for the Town of Markham and the Region of York.  “The leadership shown by the Richmond Hill & Markham Chinese Business Association and the Markham Board of Trade made this the best business mission the Town has participated in.”

“The mission was extremely well organized, and enabled me to meet people with experience ‘on the ground’ who may be able to assist our portfolio companies to expand their markets,” said Leo Grunwald of the ASG Financial Group.

Markham’s delegation held meetings with senior executives at five of China’s leading science and technology parks; signed MOUs to advance relations with the City of Wuhan, and with the Zhongguancun Science Park; and established economic relations with Shanghai’s emerging new technology centre, Yangpu District. While in China, Mayor Scarpitti also made calls on the Chairman of Founder, China’s second largest software developer, and met with the owners of Builders’ Source of Canada to discuss their interest in establishing a major logistics centre in Markham.

Over the coming weeks and months the Markham delegates will engage in an extensive program of business promotion with the contacts they made in China. Markham business leaders interested in meeting with Chinese delegations or exploring business opportunities in China are invited to contact the Markham Economic Development Department at 905-475-4878 or write to Stephen Chait at schait@markham.ca. The Town of Markham will continue to work closely in collaboration with the Markham Board of Trade and the Richmond Hill and Markham Chinese Business Association to further develop opportunities in China.