by Mike Darch, April 16, 2010 I recall the comment by Mark Twain, “Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated”. This phrase definitely applies to Hong Kong. When Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997, many, including me, thought that the glory days of Hong Kong were over. Its importance as a global business centre ...

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by Mike Darch, Shenzhen – April 13 and 14, 2010 Ottawa has experienced a series of economic tremors since the mid 90’s. The reduction of our government employment during the years that created a zero deficit for Canada, the technology downturn of this century that permanently altered the global supply chains and the recent global ...

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By Mike Darch, April 11 and 12, 2010 This is my fourth visit to Chongqing and the magnitude of the city continues to amaze me. Here is an urban area with a population of 32 million, adding 500,000 people a year. It is difficult to comprehend a city of this size, even more difficult to ...

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April 11, 2010 – Beijing It is early Sunday morning in Beijing, early Saturday evening back home in Ottawa, and I am having one of those goose bump moments that are rare in the world of economic development. In my business, it is seldom that you are able to see immediate cause and effect to ...

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By Mayor Larry O’Brien On April 6th, I embarked on a 10-day economic development mission to the Chinese cities of Beijing, Chongqing, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. The mission, coordinated by OCRI, aims to strengthen existing relationships between our cities and to further establish Ottawa as one of China’s strategic partners. Friday evening marked the conclusion ...

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OTTAWA, ON, Saturday April 10, 2010 – OCRI has signed a cooperation agreement with the Beijing Investment Promotion Bureau two days into a 10 day trade mission to China. This memorandum of understanding was signed with the privilege of being witnessed by the Mayor of Beijing Guo Jin Long and Mayor of Ottawa Larry O’Brien. ...

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Day 1: Tuesday, April 6th - Ottawa Hello from 36,000 feet over the Canadian Rockies! We were up bright and early before dawn and arrived at the airport just at daybreak, weather looking good for a flight to the other side of the world. It’s very exciting to be going to China, if only we ...

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Day 2: Wednesday, April 7th – Beijing Nihao from Beijing (and that covers the full range of my Mandarin vocabulary). Air Canada treated us very well over the 20 hours between arriving at the Ottawa airport, transiting through Vancouver and finally landing in Beijing. Leaving early morning from Ottawa was easy enough and the planes ...

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My grandfather was a visionary business man who made crazy purchases and deals which turned out to be great investments years later.  He was also an avid “tinkerer” and I remember hanging out with him as a child in his workshop as he made tools, odd contraptions, and other devices.  As an example, in his ...

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If you have a new, innovative technology that helps address climate change or promotes clean water, land or air, then Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) wants to hear from you. SDTC’s SD Tech Fund™ is accepting Statements of Interest from September 2 to October 21, 2009 The SD Tech Fund™ invests in late-stage development and pre-commercial demonstration of ...

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