Despite what seems to some as an endless flow of Asian enterprise setting up shop in Richmond, the city is still missing out on potentially lucrative business opportunities from the Far East.
That’s the view of Richmond city councillor Chak Au, who has just returned from what he says was a “very successful” trade mission to Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city in Vietnam.
Au — who went to Vietnam at the end of May on his own time and on his own dime along with delegates from several Richmond business sectors — said many deals were struck during the four-day trip.
And, such was the success of the mini mission that one of Ho Chi Minh City’s main business organizations, the Union of Business Associations of Ho Chi Minh City (UBAHMC), is returning the favour in July and bringing a delegation to Richmond.
“I always feel Richmond should take more advantage of its assets; the airport, the port, the Canada Line,” said Au, who immigrated from Hong Kong to Canada.
“We should be developing ourselves into an international business hub. I’ve been on council for five years and there’s never been an official business trip to Asia to promote trade.
“There’s been plenty of sister city trips, when there may have been business people in the room, but, as far as I’m aware, no business gets done.”
Au was at pains to stress that the trip was personally funded; with the delegation of Richmond businesses covering the cost of the seminars and the forum they hosted in Ho Chi Minh City.
“I’m able to do this because I go to Hong Kong often; it was my mother’s 100th birthday in May, actually and I was going to be in the region already; that’s how I can afford it,” explained Au.
“All I’ve gained is experience and friendship; I’ve not gained anything material at all. I did this for the good of the community of Richmond.”
An example of economic inaction, according to Au, was a few years ago, when there was talk about a direct flight from YVR to Xiamen, China, one of Richmond’s sister cities.
“But nothing really happened,” added Au, “So I talked to Xiamen Airlines and met with government officials in Xiamen to promote the idea. On July 25, the first direct flight will land at YVR.”
Travelling with him to Vietnam last month were several sectors of Richmond’s business world; people from trading, health supplement, a winery, an aviation school, Kwantlen college and a seed oil company formed the delegation.
The delegation met the International Trade Promotion Centre at Ho Chi Minh City and with the aforementioned UBAHMC.
“We visited a few enterprises and on May 28, we hosted a business forum with 50 Vietnamese companies attending. We hosted at a cost of only $6,000 (U.S),” explained Au.
“On the day, I gave a presentation about Richmond, billing it as ‘Where Canada Begins.’ And each delegate gave their own presentation.
“There were also matching meetings between the businesses represented. This was more than handshakes, though. More than $380,000 worth of business deals were struck. It’s not a lot, but it’s a good start.”
The business community in Ho Chi Minh City, said Au, had very little knowledge, if any at all, of Richmond.
“I want that to change and to really put Richmond on the map.”
Au’s trip followed a provincial government trade mission to Vietnam last December.
