Vaughan shelves its fall trade mission to China

City will instead send representatives on provincial excursion

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 26, 2015

The city has shelved its fall trade mission to China and instead is sending representatives on a provincial government-led excursion to the Asian country.

A few months ago, Vaughan officials began preparations for what was to have been its fifth trade mission to China.

The plan was to for Concord/North Thornhill Councillor Sandra Yeung Racco, East Woodbridge Councillor Rosanna DeFrancesca and Economic Development Director Jennifer Ladouceur, along with representatives from eight to 10 local businesses, to embark on a 10-day trip to Beijing, Shanghai, Yangzhou, Nanjing and Hong Kong.

The trade mission was expected to cost approximately $40,000.

Now the plan is for Yeung Racco and Ladouceur to join a trade mission, headed up by Premier Kathleen Wynne, that will see business delegations, which will include some Vaughan-based companies, travel to Nanjing, Shanghai, Yangzhou, Zibo and Hong Kong from Nov. 4 to Nov. 14.

The focus of the provincial government’s trade mission, which will cost Vaughan $9,800, is to highlight Ontario's expertise in the science, clean technology, construction, engineering and agriculture sectors as well as promoting partnership opportunities in health care and education.

Vaughan officials say they hope to build further networks and connections in China and to facilitate opportunities for local businesses, especially exports.

They‘re also aiming to develop partnerships with “innovation centres” in China to support the international mandate of its newly formed Vaughan International Commercialization Centre (VICC), which will begin registration for its suite of pilot programs this fall.