Mayor Pellegrini joins trade mission to China

May 15, 2013 · 0 Comments

By Mark Pavilons

The far east will learn about sustainability in King Township, if Mayor Steve Pellegrini has anything to say about it.
Pellegrini is part of the Mayor Delegation to China Trade Mission, put on by the Canada China Investment Association.
It’s an important gathering of Ontario mayors, government officials and key business Professionals in China. The 10-day mission runs May 15-25 and the mayors will gain an understanding of the economy of China by attending business meetings, conferences and meetings with selected government officials in China. The mayors will attend tours of major Chinese cities to experience first-hand, the Chinese culture.
Pellegrini is representing not only King, but York Region. It’s his first time visiting China and he stressed he will make sure it’s worth it, adding he doesn’t want to spoil his near-perfect attendance record unless it’s worthwhile.
Pellegrini noted China has a growing middle class with money to spend and invest abroad. China has an interest in agricultural operations. He’s looking forward to the mission and sharing some interesting ideas and potential business partnerships.
Joining Pellegrini will be Mayor Dave Eke, from Niagara-On-The-Lake; Mayor Lou Maieron, from Erin; Mayor Larry Kraemer, from Kincardine; Mayor John McCharles, from Petrolia; Mayor Neil Ellis, from Belleville; Mayor Brenda Halloran, from Waterloo; Mayor Brian McMullan, from St. Catharines.
The trade mission provides a platform for mayors to identify market trends in China in addition to understanding the large-scale urbanization and growth in the Chinese economy. The unlimited growth of the Chinese economy will become evident as mayors progress through the tours and meetings.
Hopes are the mayors will build strong relationships with Chinese executives and develop an understanding on developing and growing businesses in China with consideration into corporate structure, regulations and laws, quality management and best practices. Two major cities, Shanghai and Beijing, will be the focus of the Trade Mission, in addition to their surrounding cities. Shanghai and Beijing were chosen for being key economic players in China.
The Canada China Investment Association (CCIA) is a Canada-China investment and bilateral trade facilitator founded in 2010 as a not-for-profit business association. CCIA is an advocate for friendship and culture exchanges between China and Canada and a catalyst for economic trade and Sino-Canadian investment.