The head of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada) spoke at a luncheon in Chatham Tuesday, commending the municipality in focusing on enticing investment from the Far East.
Stewart Beck, president and CEO of APF Canada, said such effort could pay large dividends.
“As Asia’s importance to the global economy continues to grow, the region’s markets will increasingly offer dynamic opportunities for Canadian businesses,” he said in a media release. “I commend Mayor (Randy) Hope and the local business community, as we at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada believe more engagement with Asia is a critical component of building Canada’s long-term growth and prosperity.”
The luncheon, put on by the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce and the municipality, took place at the John D. Bradley Convention Centre. Chamber chairman Tony Hill said Beck’s remarks were enlightening.
“We were pleased to hear Stewart Beck’s presentation,” Hill said in a press release. “As business people, we want to know how working with Asian investment and trade can benefit our own businesses and our local economy. There seem to be direct potential benefits in some sectors, as well as potential secondary benefits for the overall local economy.”
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The municipality has a number of leads from ongoing visits to China and India. Michael Burton, director of economic development was in China just last month, attached to the provincial trade mission led by Premier Kathleen Wynne.
“We have ten major ongoing negotiations in Asia,” Burton said in a release. “They are in chemical processing, food processing, heavy manufacturing, light manufacturing, manufacturing support services, and medical supply. If even a few of these negotiations succeed, the benefits for Chatham-Kent businesses and workers will substantial.”
