Message from the President

2017 is an exciting year! The HKTDC Food Expo and Belt & Road Trade Mission 2017 organized by North America Investment Association (NAIA) has been successfully completed after a series of the trade show, promotion and business exchange activities in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Jiangmen from August 17 to 23, 2017.

2017 is also a year full of uncertainty in the world. Deglobalization and trade protectionism is spreading in the world. Since Donald Trump came to power, the United States has pursued “America First” and protectionism, and restarted NAFTA negotiations, threatening to withdraw from this trade agreement that is crucial to Canada's exports and economic development. Canada should reduce dependence on the U.S. economy, vigorously develop economic and trade relations with Asia, and actively engage China’s Belt and Road initiative, a new platform for international cooperation. This is a new direction and an important development strategy for Canada to expand exports and develop its economy.

Canadian food is renowned for its good quality and variety. In recent years, the rapid growth of Asian economies, coupled with rising food prices creates huge demands for Canadian foods. Canada is expected to enter a golden age of developing agriculture vigorously to grow food exports. The Belt and Road Initiative covers tens of countries in Asia, Europe and Africa. The first Belt and Road International Food Expo (BRIFE 2018), held in Hong Kong on June 28, 2018, is an excellent platform to promote Canada's food exports. The organizer, FMC Exhibition Company Limited, invited North America Investment Association to be a supporting organization of BRIFE 2018 and authorizes NAIA as its exclusive agent in Canada to organize a Canada Pavilion in BRIFE 2018 in Hong Kong. I am pleased that NAIA has a lot of energetic food exporters who strive to open up markets in China and Asia. This association will do its utmost to organize more Canadian food companies and actively engage this project to expand the food export channels along the Belt and Road and promote more Canadian food exports.    

We are thankful to all directors and members who work together for years to make the association flourishing. On the occasion of NAIA’s eleventh anniversary, we look forward to doing more investment and trade promotions, so to make more contributions to the economic development of BC and Canada. I wish you good health and booming business! Thank you!