Led by Honorary Mission Chair and Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, over 20 delegates from local GTA businesses and associations are participating in the 2008 Markham Chinese Business Mission from March 28 to April 8.

“Markham has long recognized the importance of building international relationships as a way to create a prosperous and healthy future for our community,” said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “Our formal relationships with the City of Wuhan and the Zhongguancun Science Park illustrate our community’s commitment to taking a global approach to municipal and economic development.”

“Our delegates represent business, research and innovation, education and government,” said Regional Councillor Tony C. Wong, Chair of Markham’s Economic Development Committee and Mission delegate. “We are travelling to China to build on our international experience by developing new opportunities for trade and investment.”

The Mission is organized by the Markham Board of Trade and the Richmond Hill & Markham Chinese Business Association, with the support of the Town of Markham.

Delegates include:

Jamie Allan of Artaflex, an integrated electronic design and manufacturing company, which has designed and built products for companies in the audio, video, industrial, medical, communications, consumer and wireless sectors

Leo Grunwald of Lions Peak Capital Corporation ASG Financial Group, an early stage investment fund manager with emphasis on life and behavioural sciences, telecommunications and information technology companies

Stephen Wong of ESM International Services, with over 27 years of training experience exports Canadian management related and soft skills training to corporations in China

John Davis and David Ho of Toronto Airways Ltd, which is the largest and most reputable flying school in Canada – located at Buttonville/Toronto Airport

Benedict M. Leung of Leung & Company Chartered Accountants, a local public accounting firm, who is President of the Richmond Hill & Markham Chinese Business Association and a Director and Chair of the Chinese Community Council of the United Way York Region

Hugh McKeown, Harper Harrison and Kristine Foy from York Region Learning Connections of the York Region District School Board who are interested in developing partnerships with schools, educational commissions and corporate partners in China

Will Sung of Metrogate Investment (Shanghai) Company Limited, which has recently formed a marketing alliance with Canada’s leading condominium developer Tridel. MISC will act as a link between the Chinese market and investment opportunities in Canada

Reza Alavie of the Seneca College Innovation Centre, a subsidiary of Seneca College which pursues innovative practices, leveraging the College’s teaching and training expertise to capitalize on international and domestic business opportunities

David Ho of Torce Financial Group, an insurance and investment brokerage firm providing financial and investment services through over 1000 associates in Toronto and Vancouver

Robert Power of Blake, Cassels & Graydon, LLP, a major Canadian national law firm, with offices also in Beijing, Shanghai, New York, Chicago and London. Recently the firm has assisted Chinese clients in accessing Canadian capital markets

Dr. Stan Shapson and Dr. Michael Siu of York University, which is interested in developing collaborative research strategies with industry, municipalities, public agencies, and community hospitals, both locally and internationally

Bryan Tuckey, Commissioner of Planning & Development Services with the Regional Municipality of York, who is interested in learning from urban and regional development practices in China and in keeping the Region’s economy globally competitive

Christy Wei and Fion Yuen of CWPR Marketing Inc, an integrated marketing consulting firm with international experience.