Message from the Executive Director, August 30th

Dear Chamber Members,

As I will be leaving the Chamber shortly, I wish to write this message highlighting recent Chamber events and activities, as well as to thank so many of you for your hard work and support over the past year.

My last remarks in eNews were at Chinese New Year – has six months passed already??!

The Chamber has had more than 40 dedicated events and over 50 Committee meetings during this time period.  Of particular mention are a series of speaker events featuring Christine Loh, Under Secretary for the Environment (thanks to our Sustainable Development Committee for organizing), our annual Mining Investment Forum, the Chamber Ball and Canada D’eh Celebrations.

Janice Ip – our recently arrived Events and Marketing Manager, and her able assistant Amanda Ho – can take credit for some very well produced events.  We had 15 companies and 100 attendees at the Mining Forum, and the Chamber Ball stands out with just over 550 attending.  Who would have guessed we could provide a hockey rink turned into a dance floor?  Only Canadians know how to do this!  Canada D’eh provided enjoyment for 60 at the annual VIP dinner at LKF Hotel, and many more at a Street Party afterwards.

Our Committees have had speakers on an extraordinarily wide range of topics.  We have learned about water availability in China, “Big Data’s” influence on our daily lives, solar-powered light standards and bus stops, and rock caverns for parking lots and shopping malls.   Again thanks to our many Committee Chairs for such well-organized speaker events.

Two recent events stand out: our Property Committee’s sponsorship of a major Panel Discussion on the proposed Double Stamp Duty which was attended by almost 80 at the American Club, and the Honourable Anson Chan (former Chief Secretary for Administration, HKSAR) this week addressed over 60 participants at the Hong Kong Club.

The Chamber’s long-running Governance Committee has significantly amended our M&A and Bylaws, most of which were formulated in the late 1970’s:  we will vote to accept the new documents at the next Chamber AGM on October 7^th.  Congratulations to our President and the Committee for many hundreds of hours of work in updating our governing documentation.

I wish to welcome some new additions to the Chamber – Olivier Lanoix as Membership Manager and Vivian Wan as Administrative Assistant.  Many of you will have met Olivier, who joins us as former Membership Manager of the Canada China Business Council in Beijing, as well as with Vivian who assists Carol Chan, Finance and Operations Manger.  Our newest member of the Chamber team is Carol’s newly arrived daughter!   Congratulations to Carol – she will return in November, after her maternity leave.

Evan Wilcox, in his new role as Membership Services Manager, continues to build our enhanced Chamber website, online directory and loyalty program.  Member benefits will increase visibly by mid-September, when we announce our Member Privileges Program giving our membership discounts and Chamber-specific offerings, often not available in the marketplace. Please check the site for new information on promotions, events and Committee news.

In closing, I wish to thank Chamber staff and the general membership for contributing to my gratifying past year with the Chamber, as well as to so many successful programs and initiatives.

Yours sincerely,

David M. Nesbitt

Executive Director

 

Job Opportunity with Global Payments Asia-Pacific Ltd!

Global Payments is looking for a Manager, Strategic Marketing.  Reporting to the Marketing Director in the Asia Pacific Regional Marketing Team, the Manager, Strategic Marketing position will develop customer value proposition and marketing program to drive new product launch or other sales initiatives. You will be working closely with cross-functional teams in multiple geographic locations and be able to influence key stakeholders to ensure that the agreed strategies and deliverables can be implemented effectively. This is a great opportunity working for an industry leader in a role that offers excellent growth opportunities.

How to apply? Click here. 

Air Canada slashes prices for round trips to China

VANCOUVER — The recent expansion of flights linking Vancouver and China has sparked a price war between Air Canada and its Chinese counterparts.

According to travel deal website YVRdeals.com, Air Canada is offering round-trip flights to both Beijing and Shanghai for under $800, including fees and taxes, as of 1 p.m. Tuesday.

That means this fall it will be just as cheap to fly to Beijing as Halifax, even though the 11-hour flight is almost twice as long.

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/Business/asia-pacific/Canada+China+flights+offered+bargain+rates/8839474/story.html#ixzz2dLJlM9qt

These are Canada’s options in Syria and Egypt. None of them are easy

So what can Canada do about Syria and Egypt where the options for policymakers range from bad to worse.

Syria is the latest example of a failing state where the dictator is doing everything he can to hang onto power including breaking  international law, most recently in the apparent use of chemical weapons.

UN-sanctioned inspectors are on the ground attempting to determine the facts although US Secretary of State John Kerry has declared evidence of chemical weapons is “undeniable” and that there must be “accountability for those who would use the world’s most heinous weapons”.  Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says the US is “ready to go.”

To read the full article please click here. 

The New CanCham Website is Here!

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong is proud to introduce its new redesigned website.  The new website is full of new features allowing members to better connect with the chamber and among fellow members.

If you have not done so already please visit the new site at www.cancham.org

If you have any issues logging in as a member please let us know at webadmin@cancham.org or by calling us at 852-2110-8700, we are happy to assist.

RBC Global Asset Management appoints new head of Asian Equities

HONG KONG and TORONTO, Aug. 21, 2013 /CNW/ – RBC Global Asset Management (RBC GAM) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mayur Nallamala, senior portfolio manager and head of Asian Equities. Based in Hong Kong, Mr. Nallamala assumes overall responsibility for managing RBC GAM’s US$1.5 billion in Asian equity assets. In addition, Mr. Nallamala leads a team of portfolio managers and analysts in Hong Kong and provides insight on Asian equities and the economies of the region to support RBC GAM’s global investment management strategies.

“RBC GAM is committed to bringing exceptional investment solutions to individual and institutional investors worldwide,” said Dan Chornous, chief investment officer of RBC GAM. “As our new leader of Asian equities, Mayur brings a rigorous investment philosophy that is consistent with our own approach, a solid track record in the region, and a strong background in serving clients.”

Prior to joining RBC GAM, Mr. Nallamala spent eight years with JP Morgan Asset Management in Hong Kong, where he managed US$4 billion in Asia Pacific ex-Japan mandates for sovereign wealth, institutional and retail clients around the world. Mr. Nallamala holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Economic History from theLondon School of Economics.

“As a global organization with over $290 billion in assets under management and bold expansion plans, adding to our capabilities in Asia is an important priority for us,” said Damon Williams, head, Institutional Investments, RBC GAM. “RBC Global Asset Management has had a presence in Asian markets since 1997, and we continue to add to our capabilities and team in the region, in terms of both investment expertise and client servicing.”

Mr. Nallamala will work in partnership with Adam Matthews, RBC GAM managing director and a former colleague, who joined RBC GAM in 2011 and leads RBC GAM’s business and development activities in the Asia-Pacific region.

Canadian Millennials Look For Opportunities Abroad, Embrace Expatriate Culture

Royal Tsang was working at a bank in Canada when he was offered an opportunity to move to Hong Kong. The 29-year-old Vancouver native had never lived abroad before, but took the opportunity to gain global experience. Almost two years later, he says the nature of the job in Hong Kong is global in scope, making it an ideal place for career growth and making connections from around the world.

Tsang is one of many Canadian millennials who have sought experiences abroad.

Each year, 10 to 12 per cent more students go abroad, says Glynn Hunter Executive Director at the University of Calgary International. Universities are increasingly making opportunities abroad a priority in their academic plans, and a nursing student can now do their practicum at a campus in Qatar.

To read the full article please click here.

The big mistake Canadian companies make in China

Mr. Nixon describes himself as an English Montrealer who got his chartered accounting degree and joined Coopers & Lybrand, one of the big firms at the time, before making the decision to gain international experience. “My wife and I decided to go to Geneva first because we spoke French and we loved Europe, and after that we said ‘well, let’s get some experience in Asia,’ so we tried Hong Kong and that was amazing.”

A few years after arriving in Hong Kong in 1989, Mr. Nixon founded Potential Ltd., which helps clients facilitate, negotiate and implement change. “I’ll work with partners on every engagement. So I’ve got lots of other consultants that I partner with, there’s lots of clients that I partner with. But I’m the sole shareholder.”

To read the full article please click here. 

Manulife Financial has announced the appointment of Michael Huddart to the position of Executive Vice President and General Manager, Greater China

Hong Kong – Manulife Financial has announced the appointment of Michael Huddart to the position of Executive Vice President and General Manager, Greater China. In this new role, Mr. Huddart will oversee Manulife’s operations in Hong Kong, Mainland China and Taiwan.

Mr. Huddart will take on the leadership role as Chairman of Manulife-Sinochem Life Insurance Co. Ltd. and Vice Chairman of Manulife TEDA Fund Management Co., Ltd. in Mainland China as well as responsibility for Manulife’s asset management business in Taiwan. He will also continue to be Chief Executive Officer of Manulife (International) Limited and Chief Executive Officer of Manulife Asset Management (Hong Kong) Limited in Hong Kong.

“The Greater China region offers great opportunities for Manulife to serve our existing and potential customers with professional financial protection and wealth accumulation solutions,” said Robert A. Cook, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Asia. “As one of our key leaders in Manulife Asia, Michael was the obvious choice for this newly-created role. For the last nine years, he has successfully led our life insurance, pension and wealth management businesses in Hong Kong and Macau, and during this period we have seen strong growth in sales, distribution and earnings.”

To read the full press release please click here.

Job Opportunities with Global Payments Asia-Pacific Ltd

Manager, Strategic Marketing

Reporting to the Marketing Director in the Asia Pacific Regional Marketing Team, the Manager, Strategic Marketing position will develop customer value proposition and marketing program to drive new product launch or other sales initiatives. You will be working closely with cross-functional teams in multiple geographic locations and be able to influence key stakeholders to ensure that the agreed strategies and deliverables can be implemented effectively. This is a great opportunity working for an industry leader in a role that offers excellent growth opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct analysis on consumer insights, usage behavior, economic conditions, competitive activities and develop marketing plan recommendations including customer value proposition for new product launch, activation, cross sell and retention initiatives
• Execute the marketing plan, including creating product marketing collaterals, general company brochures and other sales materials to promote the key strengths of the company/products and drive new business as well as roll out across Asia Pacific markets
• Support other ad hoc communication programs, planning, research and analysis as required

The Successful Applicant

To succeed in this position, you will be a highly driven individual with excellent analytical skills, business acumen and project management skills. The ideal candidate comes from multinational companies with strong experience in communications, market research and customer analytics and business/marketing planning. Excellent command of written English is a must. Candidates who were educated overseas and/or have worked in multiple Asia Pacific locations is an advantage.

 What’s on Offer

• A regional role in a multi-national company
• All-rounded marketing role with good career prospects
• Entrepreneurial environment with exposure to Management
• Fast growing and dynamic industry
• Competitive compensation and benefits

Interested candidates please forward your resume and indicate current and expected salary to apply at recruit.asia@globalpay.com.