Hsinchu County Magistrate Chiu Ching-chun and Markham City Mayor Frank Scarpitti signed an MOU on economic cooperation on June 17 at the Markham Civic Centre. The MOU will serve as a platform to enhance exchanges between the two cities.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Representative of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Canada Ambassador Rong-chuang Wu, Director General of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Toronto Catherine Y. M. Hsu, Regional Councillor of Markham Joe Li, Markham Councillors Alex Chiu and Amanda Collucci as well as representatives of local Taiwanese communities, businesses and academies, totaling more than 150 persons.

In his remarks, Mayor Scarpitti pointed out that Markham is one of Canada’s most diverse cities, as more than 60% of Markham’s residents were not born in Canada. 1/3 of the city’s population is of Asian descent, many of whom are Hakka people. Markham is well known as the high-tech capital in Canada, with a great gathering of high-tech companies. Mayor Scarpitti expressed his sincere welcome to Magistrate Chiu for his visit and warmly invited Chiu to lead another business delegation for further exchange with the City next year.

In response to Mayor Scarpitti’s welcoming remarks, Magistrate Chiu told the audience that in addition to going to Columbus, Ohio, where he accepted the Award of Top 7 Intelligent Cities for Hsinchu County at the Intelligent Community Forum's (ICF) Annual Summit, he was most happy to visit Canada’s high-tech capital, the City of Markham. Magistrate Chiu stressed that Hsinchu County is also a high-tech centre in Taiwan, housing the renowned Scientific Park, and boasts a rich Hakka culture. He also expressed his hope that both cities could further strengthen techological, economic, cultural and educational exchanges.

Ambassador Wu, on behalf of the ROC government, remarked that both Hsinchu County and the City of Markham are models of smart cities in Taiwan and Canada respectively, and share many commonalities. The MOU can serve as an efficient platform to help people and businesses on both sides for further exchange and cooperation.

During the ceremony, both Hsinchu County and the City of Markham showcased videos that introduced their city planning and business environment in the hope that more opportunities of investments and business for both sides would be found and promoted. Moreover, an announcement was made to declare the establishment of the Taiwan-Canada Economic and Cultural Association, the mandate of which was to promote more exchanges between Hsinchu County and the City of Markham, while strengthening the relationship between Taiwan and Canada.

Hsinchu County Magistrate Chiu Ching-chun (left) and the City of Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti (right) sign an MOU on bilateral economic cooperation

Members of Hsinchu County delegation are joined by representatives of local Taiwanese communities, businesses and academies in the GTA for a group photo at the Markham Civic Centre.