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Earlier in my remarks, I mentioned the real success story of this Association. There are other success stories that deserve mention here today success stories of Canadian companies that are starting to make waves in Hong Kong.
Let me cite just a few:
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Canadian expertise has won the design contract for the vessel traffic management system for Victoria Harbour.
About 70 Canadian companies, including Northern Telecom, Mitel and Cognos
a Canada Export Award winner -- have established offices in Hong Kong.
Cathay Pacific
which started in Canada as a store-front operation in Vancouver, in 1983, now considers Vancouver its North American headquarters and will begin service to Toronto as well by next spring. In addition, Canadian Airlines International will be extending its Hong Kong service to Amsterdam by next year.
Two Canadian consortia are competing to provide a $65 million integrated communications system for the Hong Kong police.
Canadian representation in Hong Kong is strong and is growing stronger. The 700 members of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong are very active. And so is our Commission. Six provinces have also established offices in Hong Kong.
As I said earlier, we are starting to make real headway in the dynamic and growing markets of Hong Kong and the entire Asia-Pacific Region.
As a British Columbian, born in Asia, I am particularly interested at how economic activity in Canada has gradually shifted towards the Pacific. I am delighted to see the growing interest and involvement of Canadians in Hong Kong and other Asia-Pacific markets. And, I am committed to do all I