Report to: Economic Development Committee Report Date: February 3, 2009

SUBJECT: Medical Technology Mission to China

PREPARED BY: Stephen Chait, Director, Economic Development, ext. 4871

RECOMMENDATION:

That the report entitled “Medical Technology Mission to China” be received;

That the Town be represented by the Manager Special Projects, Economic Development, and a senior member of Town staff,

And that the cost of the mission not exceed $15,000.00 and be expensed from within the pre-approved 2009 “China and India Investment Attraction Program” Capital Budget,

And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

1. Purpose 2. Background 3. Discussion 4. Financial 5. Others (Strategic, Affected Units) 6. Attachment(s)

PURPOSE:

To authorize business travel by Town staff to China in April 2009, to participate in the China International Medical Equipment Fair, for purposes of promoting Markham as a preferred investment location for medical technology and other related high-tech companies.

DISCUSSION:

The Trillium Medical Technology Association (TMTA) is leading a business mission to Hong Kong and Shenzhen (Guangzhou) China in April to attend and participate in the China International Medical Equipment Fair. A world-renowned annual medical exhibition taking place in Shenzhen since 1979, the 2009 edition of the Fair is expected to attract more than 1,500 exhibitors and over 55,000 visitors. The Fair provides participants with a venue for meeting with medical technology businesses, investors, and purchasers of this type of equipment and services. It also offers an opportunity to showcase new ideas and investment/partnering opportunities (particularly opportune for Markham to showcase the “National Centre for Medical Device Development – NCMDD”).

The TMTA is an Ontario-based business association of small and medium sized (SME) medical device manufacturers, distributors, and service providers. The Town of Markham is an Associate Member of the TMTA, and the TMTA is a member of the NCMDD consortium. The TMTA regards the Shenzhen Fair as a priority business development activity, and this will be the TMTA’s fifth year at the Fair. This mission enjoys the support of several partners: Department of Foreign Affairs Canada, the Canadian Consulate in Hong Kong, Industry Canada’s Life Science Industry division, and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. The Town of Markham and all TMTA mission delegates will have exhibition display space within the Canadian Pavilion at the Fair for the duration of the Fair.

Markham’s Objectives for the mission:

1. Promote Markham (and NCMDD) as preferred investment location and strategic partnering opportunities

2. Strengthen business awareness of Markham with Canadian and Chinese medical technology providers

3. Strengthen business links with Markham’s economic alliance partners in China (who will be invited to meet us at Fair)

4. Further identify opportunities to increase investment and trade

5. Raise awareness about Markham’s competitive advantages and investment opportunities

Draft Agenda:

Monday, April 13, 2009

- Mission delegates travel to Hong Kong

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

- Arrive in Hong Kong and de-brief with team

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

- Meetings with Consulate General, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong Trade Development, and other business delegates

Thursday, April 16, 2009

- Partnering seminar and networking luncheon

- One-on-one company and sector contact meetings

- Travel to Shenzhen

Friday, April 17, 2009

- One-on-one meetings

- Set up exhibit at Fair

Saturday, April 18, 2009

- Opening day of Chinese Medical Equipment Fair

- Official opening of Canadian Pavilion at Fair

Sunday, April 19, 2009

- Work at booth in Canadian Pavilion

- One-on-one meetings at Pavilion

Monday, April 20, 2009

- Work at booth in Canadian Pavilion

- One-on-one meetings at Pavilion

Tuesday, April 22, 2009

- Closing day of Fair

- One-on-one meetings at hotel

- Dismantle exhibit, pack up

- Intra-mission debriefing

Wednesday, April 23, 2009

- Depart for Markham (Toronto) from Hong Kong

- Arrive in Markham (Toronto)

FINANCIAL TEMPLATE

The TMTA is managing the planning and logistics for the mission.

The Town’s cost for two Markham representatives to participate on the mission is $15,000 including any applicable taxes. This includes the cost of airfare, accommodations, ground transportation, meals, production of marketing materials, pre-mission meeting arrangements, in-market events and presentations.

Registration as a participant in TMTA delegation ($500) $1,000.00

Travel, meals and accommodations (@ $5,500/person) 11,000.00

In-market events and presentations 1,500.00

Post-mission follow-up meetings and presentations 1,500.00

$15,000.00

The Town Budget Committee has recommended pre-approval for this $15,000 expenditure from within the 2009 “China and India Investment Attraction Program” Capital Budget.

ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:

The Medical Technology Mission to China is an integral part of the Town’s 10-Year Economic Strategy, “Markham 2020”. The Mission program is focused on one of Markham’s 4 targeted economic sectors, ICT & Life Sciences Convergence, and addresses the objective of building Global Markham and Branded Markham.

DEPARTMENTS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

N/A.

RECOMMENDED BY:

___________________________ ________________________________

Stephen A. Chait, Ec.D., CMC Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.

Director, Economic Development Commissioner of Development Services

ATTACHMENTS:

A. Mission brochure