In 2006, the total value of import and export between Guangdong and Canada reached USD 5.55 billlion, up 33.9%, accunting for 1/4 of China's total, said Zhong Yangsheng, Executive Vice Governor of Guangdong Province, at a celebration of Canada's 140th National Day on June 25th in Guangzhou.

Canadian exports to Guangdong grew to USD 1.35 billion in 2006, nearly 13% increase from the previous year, despite the strength of the Canadian dollar, said Consul General of Canada Mr. Tim Coughlin.

Mr. Tim Coughlin revealed that more than 70 new Canadian companies started business in Guangdong last year. Indeed, the business cooperation between the two regions achieved many successes.

CAE sold 10 additional flight simulators to its joint venture company in Zhuhai, further growing their long-term investment and partnership with China Southern.

Bombardier  will build the first urban application Automated people mover in China for Guangzhou Metro in Zhujiang XinCheng, scheduled to be completed in June 2010.

Guangdong Nortel now has global mandate for key growth technologies like CDMA and WiMax, with a booming R&D center of more than 1200 employees that will move to brand new facilities in Tianhe Software Park.

Canadian financial services companies have also been expanding. Manulife now has 6 offices in Guangdong, the Bank of Montreal, CIBC and Bank of Nova Scotia all continue to grow their business in the province.

Mr. Tim Coughlin said that British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell visited Guangdong in November, a successful follow-up on Guangdong Governor's Huang Huahua's trip to Canada in 2005, promoting BC and Guangdong's ever expanding sister province relationship.

Editor: Donald