Niagara-on-the-Lake - July 24, 2000 - PBB Global Logistics hosted a high-level Chinese Delegation last Wednesday evening. Dr. Qing Sheng Ma, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Guangxi Committee, addressed a captive audience of Niagara business leaders about the new opportunities for international trade between China and Ontario.

"We need to introduce more advanced technology, management skills and capitals to Guangxi," Dr. Ma told the audience at the Queen's Landing inn in Niagara-on-the-Lake. "The government of Guangxi will keep on improving the investment environment by developing infrastructure facilities, reforming the investment system, simplifying business procedures, improving administrative efficiency and protecting foreign investors' legal rights."

The six-member Chinese delegation consisted of several other high-level Guangxi officials, including Mr. Qin Zhigang, president, Guangxi Overseas Exchange Association, and Mr. Zhang Chongren, president of the Guangxi Industry & Commerce Association. The delegation is in Canada for a 10-day economic development and investment mission, stopping in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Niagara.

PBB Global Logistics of Fort Erie, Ontario, organized and hosted the dinner event in Niagara-on-the-Lake, following up on its highly successful China: Trade Mission 2000 that took place earlier this year.

"Dr. Ma's visit to Niagara was made possible by the seeds of opportunity planted during our recent visit to China," said Mike Scott, executive vice president, PBB Global Logistics, who led the mission of 20 North American business leaders in March 2000. "The key to doing business in China is to establish and nurture close relationships with government and business officials. We are pleased to be able to leverage our existing Chinese contacts to the benefit of other Niagara business leaders interested in trading and doing business with this burgeoning market."

The PBB-led trade mission had visited Guangxi Province on March 16-17, 2000, meeting with Dr. Ma and other high-level Chinese officials. Located on the Vietnam border, Guangxi (population: 200 million) serves as a major transportation hub for southern China. The province is rich in natural resources such as aluminum, tin, zinc and manganese, and is a major source of hydroelectric power in China. This, along with massive governmental investment in infrastructure, makes Guangxi a key emerging new market for Canadian goods and services.

With the success of its trade mission in March, PBB is planning a second mission in Spring 2001. "With our integrated global logistics and travel expertise, PBB is uniquely positioned to lead missions of this nature and help open the Chinese market to North American businesses," said Mr. Scott.

PBB Global Logistics employs more than 1,000 people in 70 locations throughout North America. It offers fully integrated global logistics services including: International Freight Forwarding, Customs Brokerage, Warehousing and Distribution, North American Shipping, Trade and Regulatory Services, Corporate Audit, International Mail Order, Corporate Travel and e-globallogistics.com™ through a North American network of automated facilities and world-wide strategic alliances.