Mike Tilley of CanLink Global prepares for his trip to Shenzhen, China with a number of Saint John delegates.
Mike Tilley is thrilled to be taking a group of Saint Johners to China this week. Heading to Shenzhen, China is a group representing businesses, several educational institutions, and local provincial and municipal officials.
Making the trip on behalf of Saint John is city mayor Norm MacFarlane. In addition, the Hon. Margaret Ann Blaney will be visiting this economic hub. Shenzhen was established by the Chinese government in the mid 80’s to bring capitalist dollars into the communist economy.
Tilley says that he and his colleagues and CanLink Global worked out extensive itineraries for all groups and businesses who have chosen to examine Chinese investment as a way to cut manufacturing costs, or to discover new trade partners.
As mentioned in the Saturday, Oct 8 column of Community Lens printed in the Telegraph Journal, last year Chinese investment in small business initiatives in New Brunswick was surpassed only by the Atlantic Canadian Opportunities Agency.
This means considering Chinese business partners interested in investing in southern New Brunswick is becoming an important part of every successful business strategy.
Tilley says that it’s not always the perfect time for a business to go to China, but that there is something there for everyone. NBCC and UNBSJ both actively recruit student interest through local schools and programs, and will be sending delegates to both explore new options and to maintain contacts there.
Many other local companies, including Innovatia, examine selling soft services to China – playing to their advantage Canadians’ access to education used to create a skilled work can offer to business, says Tilley.
“Businesses looking to get closer to the source of raw materials or parts necessary for their final products should consider China,” says Tilley. “Being more closely tied to the manufacturing source allows you to cut costs which in turn helps with exporting products into the American marketshare.”
