For Immediate Release

Working Together to Enhance Trade Relations Between Canada and China

High Level Chinese Delegation visits Niagara

Mississauga- Ontario, October 25, 2000 – A high level delegation from Jiangsu Province, one of China's most important industrial and trade regions, recently visited PBB’s Toronto Distribution facility, and attended a VIP dinner hosted by PBB while on a Niagara Economic Development Mission.

"Mutual understanding between Canada and China is the key to enhancing trade relations," Wang Rongbing, Vice-Governor of Jiangsu Province told an audience of business, education, trade and political leaders. "Jiangsu is one of China’s provinces which has the longest history of opening to the outside world. Investment opportunities between Canada and China will continue to grow as China’s economy continues to develop."

The Vice-Governor led an eight-member delegation comprised of senior directors of the province’s economic development and industry departments, and chief business executives.

The delegation made other key stops while in Southern Ontario, including PBB’s logistics centre in Mississauga, Nortel Networks in Brampton and a high-level meeting with Al Palladini, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development and Trade in Toronto.

"The future is bright for economic co-operation between Jiangsu and Ontario," said Minister Pallidini, during a luncheon hosted by the Canada China Business Council. "It is important for us to take advantage of the opportunity to work together in the modern global economy."

PBB’s leadership in hosting the delegation from Jiangsu stems from the company’s continuing efforts to nurture business ties in China. The Niagara-on-the-Lake reception was the second high-level event in the last few months, PBB having hosted a delegation from Guangxi Province earlier in the summer. PBB led a successful trade mission to China last March and is planning a second mission to China in Spring 2001.

"We are delighted to host this group of prestigious delegates from the Jiangsu Province," says Mike Scott, Executive Vice President, PBB Global Logistics. "Jiangsu is definitely on the itinerary for our upcoming Trade Mission."

Jiangsu is Ontario's sister province, and is an increasingly vital part of China's economic development programs. Jiangsu is one of China’s six foreign trade ports opening up to North American businesses. Over the last 20 years its economy has been booming, with substantial increases in the standard of living and foreign investment. Its capital city Nanjing played host to a visit by PBB's China: Trade Mission 2000, which involved senior North American executives touring strategic Chinese centres last spring.

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 & Distribution, North American Shipping, Trade & Regulatory Services, Corporate Audit, International Mail Order, Corporate Travel and e-globallogistics.com^TM through a North American network of automated facilities and world-wide strategic alliances. It is one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Private Companies.

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