THE HKCBA STORY

The Hong Kong-Canada Business Association (HKCBA), one of the largest bi-lateral trade associations in Canada, has approximately 1,300 members in 8 active Sections in major cities (Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax) - and Representatives in Hong Kong, Regina Saskatchewan and London Ontario - together with strong dynamic connections to 33 similar trade groups in 24 countries around the world through the Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide (FHKBAW).

HKCBA exists to encourage two-way trade between Canada and Hong Kong, to provide a forum for discussion of trade issues involving Hong Kong and Canada, and to promote policies - by both governments - that will lead to expanded trade and closer ties between the two. It does this by sponsoring meetings and professional presentations on topics of interest, leading trade delegations, and by organizing cultural exchanges.

The organization originated with a series of informal discussions among participants at the Pacific Rim Opportunities Conference held in Calgary in 1983. This initial discussion included John Treleaven, then Canada's Senior Trade Commissioner in Hong Kong, Len Dunning, the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Robert Issenman, a prominent attorney in Montreal, and Martin Glynn, then a Vice-President of the Hongkong Bank of Canada (now HSBC Bank Canada) in Vancouver.

In August 1984 the HKCBA was incorporated as a non-profit Canadian corporation. In late 1984 the first three sections were formed, in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal, headed up by Martin Glynn, Robert Brown (then Vice President Central and Eastern Canada with the Hongkong Bank of Canada), and Robert Issenman, respectively.

New sections were developed in Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Saskatoon, St. John's and Winnipeg in 1985 and 1986. And in Halifax in 1987.

The need for a national office to co-ordinate the activities of, and facilitate communication among, these sections was soon apparent, and a national office was established in 1986, with Robert Brown of Toronto as the first National President.

The establishment of the Association coincided with a period of growing immigration from Hong Kong to Canada, and the Association's membership quickly increased. In more recent years, many things have changed, most importantly of course - Hong Kong is now part of China. But the focus of HKCBA has not wavered in all these years - HKCBA exists to assist its members to do business together, between Canada and Hong Kong, and through Hong Kong to the rest of China and South East Asia.

HKCBA members are owners or managers of small or medium sized businesses trading with Hong Kong, China and South East Asia, trade related enterprises, and professionals - mainly lawyers, bankers and accountants - who are involved in international trade.

Each section is responsible for its own programs. The activities include meetings and networking events, presentations by leading international and local authorities, workshops and seminars on trade-related topics for the benefit of members, trade delegations and trade missions, briefings and submissions for the federal and provincial governments, and a wide variety of cultural and social events.

The National Office co-ordinates activities that affect the entire organization, and acts as the national voice of the Association. It is often consulted on questions related to doing business with Hong Kong, and with the rest of China and the Pacific Rim through Hong Kong, and has earned a reputation as a valuable forum for serious discussion of economic issues affecting the region. The National Office is also a valuable point of contact for Hong Kong companies interested in expanding their markets in North America.

The HKCBA is Hong Kong's largest and most active overseas trade association. It is actively supported by all members of the "Hong Kong Family" here in Canada, including the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Hong Kong Tourism Board, and Invest Hong Kong. The HKCBA was also one of the driving forces behind the formation of the Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide, an organization established in November 2000 to develop closer ties among the now 31 bi-lateral Hong Kong trade associations around the world. Through the Federation, members of the HKCBA have a point of contact and a source of local trade information in 23 countries. The first Chairman of the Federation for 2000-2002 was HKCBA's own Maxwell Brotman, then HKCBA's National Chair. HKCBA continues to be well represented on the Federation's Board of Directors and Executive Committee.