NEWS RELEASES
NEW BUSINESS AND CULTURAL AGREEMENTS IN CHINA
November 26, 1996 No. 218
NEW BUSINESS AND CULTURAL AGREEMENTS IN CHINA
The Honourable Art Eggleton, Minister for International Trade, today witnessed the
signing of 11 new agreements valued at $96 million between Canadian and Chinese
organizations during his trip to Shanghai.
"I am pleased to see that, since the Prime Minister led the first Team Canada
mission in 1994, Canadian companies continue to achieve significant success in
China," said Mr. Eggleton. "Today's signings attest to the diverse opportunities
to create jobs and growth in both our nations."
The new agreements include six commercial contracts valued at $79 million and five
agreements in principle, such as memoranda of understanding, valued at $17
million.
The Canadian organizations entering into new relationships in China today
represent a wide range of industries and expertise from across Canada. Four of
the signing organizations also participated in the 1994 Team Canada mission to
China.
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Details of the agreements signed today in Shanghai are attached.
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Nicole Bourget
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister for International Trade
(613) 996-6271
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
NEW CANADIAN INITIATIVES IN CHINA
Background on Signing Ceremony in Shanghai
November 26, 1996
The Canadian Environment Industry Association -- Ottawa, Ontario
A national federation of nine provincial environment industry associations, the
Canadian Environment Industry Association, signed a memorandum of understanding
with the China Association of Environmental Protection Industry. The parties
agreed to exchange information, increase mutual understanding and promote
opportunities for co-operation, in recognition of Canada's expertise in
environmental protection and of China's emergence as a significant market for the
industry.
The Certified General Accountants Association of Canada* -- Vancouver, British
Columbia
The Certified General Accountants Association of Canada signed a memorandum of co-operation with the Chinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants to establish
strong links between the two accounting bodies. Under the agreement, the
Association will provide professional accounting courses and related products with
a potential value of $10 million over the next five years to help develop the
infrastructure of the Chinese accounting profession.
Chmiel/Panzini Architects -- Ottawa, Ontario
Urbanics Consultants Ltd. -- Vancouver, British Columbia
Chmiel/Panzini Architects and Urbanics Consultants signed a technical services
agreement with the Administrative Commission of Nanhui County and Lu Chao Gang
Development Area to study the expansion and development of the Lu Chao Gang port
located near Shanghai. The study will examine the technical, operational and
economic potential for the port to increase its present passenger traffic and to
handle cargo. The cost of Phase One of the study is set at $600 000, with Phase
Two covering detailed design and construction at an estimated cost of $150
million.
Harris-Farinon Canada* -- Dollard des Ormeaux, Quebec
The Harris-Farinon company designs and manufactures state-of-the-art radio
communication networks. It signed two memoranda of understanding in Shanghai: one
with the Guangxi Power Administration to equip 23 stations in the province of
Guangxi with digital microwave radios; the other with Shaanxi Water Resources
Bureau to sell a digital microwave system consisting of 17 stations to be used in
the Wei River. The projects have estimated values of $4.1 million and $2.8
million respectively.
National Capital Commission -- Ottawa, Ontario
The National Capital Commission signed a cultural agreement with the Harbin
People's Municipal Government, creating a link between the Ice and Snow Festival
in Harbin and the Winterlude Festival in Ottawa, two world-class winter events.
This exchange provides an opportunity to showcase each country's culture, ice-carving skills and winter traditions.
Propak Systems Ltd. -- Calgary, Alberta
Propak Systems Ltd., which operates engineering and manufacturing facilities for
the oil and gas processing industry, signed a contract with the Shanghai Petroleum
Corporation to provide a modular 1.6 million standard cubic metres/day Cryogenic
LPG Recovery Plant to process offshore gas from the Pinghu Oil and Gas Field. The
plant will be operational in 1998 and produce natural gas for residential use as a
substitute for coal. The contract is valued at $15 million.
Technophar Equipment* -- Windsor, Ontario
Technophar Equipment and Services Ltd., which supplies specialized equipment and
technology for the pharmaceutical industry, signed a contract with Kunming
Pharmaceutical Corporation of Kunming City to deliver a turnkey project including
four soft capsule production machines. The contract is valued at approximately
$2.7 million.
Tecsult International Ltd. -- Montreal, Quebec
Seed Co., a Quebec corporation, was formed by Microlink International Group Inc.
and Tecsult International Ltd. to develop energy and environment projects,
commencing with the Yanzhou Co-generation Project and four power plants with a
580 megawatt total capacity. Tecsult has agreed with the Shanghai Electric
Corporation that the latter will be the prime turnkey contractor for all Seed
Co.'s projects under Tecsult's supervision. The first project will commence no
later than January 1997.
Westcoast Energy International* -- Vancouver, British Columbia
Westcoast Energy International Inc., a subsidiary of Westcoast Energy Inc., signed
a joint venture contract with Shanghai No. 1 Iron & Steel (Group) Co. Ltd. to
build, own, operate and ultimately transfer a 50 megawatt power plant. Westcoast
will be project manager and plant operator for the first 15 years of the 20-year
joint-venture contract. Shanghai No. 1 Iron & Steel will purchase the power
produced from the plant. The project value is $40.7 million.
Xenexi Telecommunications Development Inc.* -- Vancouver, British Columbia
As majority participant in a joint venture, Xenexi Telecommunications Development
Inc. signed a contract with Water Resources Information Centre of Beijing to equip
and construct a VSAT (very small aperture terminal) satellite supervisory control
and data acquisition network for gathering information from water information
stations throughout China. The project has a value of $20 million.
* Participated in the 1994 Team Canada mission to China.
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