FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 10, 2010
Vancouver, B.C. — Chinese students represent 15 percent of Canada’s annual intake of international students, which forms the largest visible ethnic group studying in Canada. A survey on the intentions among Chinese international students after graduating in Canada was commissioned by S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Business & Economic Development and conducted by Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.
The primary goal of the survey was to understand the interests of the Chinese international students and the barriers they face upon completion of their study in Canada. The survey results demonstrated that a significant portion of the respondents intended to start their own business in either Canada or China. Nearly 50 percent of the students expressed interests in becoming entrepreneurs if business opportunities arise.
The results provided evidence of strong business interests among Chinese international students. However, lack of capital funds, lack of knowledge about starting a new business and lack of market information are the top three barriers preventing them from starting up their own business.
“It is important to retain and leverage this group of highly educated talents. They have language capacities and are nurtured by both eastern and western cultures. Canada needs them to further develop our economic ties with overseas. S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Business & Economic Development provides consultation and training programs to help them realize business ideas,” said Eliza Chang, Project Director, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Business & Economic Development.
“Given the fact that Chinese students are the largest group among all international students studying in Canada, this is a group which will have significant impacts on the people-to-people relations between Canada and China,” said Kenny Zhang, Senior Project Manager of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. “With their diversified business interests after graduation in Canada, we can expect greater business opportunities between the two countries in the years ahead“, Zhang added.
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The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada is an independent, not-for-profit think tank focused on Canada’s relations with Asia. The Foundation brings together people and knowledge to provide the most current and comprehensive research, analysis and information on Canada’s trans-Pacific relations. For more details, please visit: www.asiapacific.ca
S.U.C.C.E.S.S. was founded in 1973 and incorporated in 1974. It is one of the largest social service providers in Canada with 25 offices in British Columbia and 4 overseas offices. For more details, please visit: www.success.bc.ca
S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Business & Economic Development under the S.U.C.C.E.S.S. umbrella has been in operation for 16 years with offices in Vancouver, Tri-Cities and Fraser Valley. It strives to integrate new Canadians with the local economy and beyond through its Asian Business Connections and Entrepreneurship & Community Economic Development programs.
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For more information, contact:
Eileen Lao
Public Affairs Manager,
S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
Phone: (604)-408-7243
eileen.lao@success.bc.ca
www.success.bc.ca
Kenny Zhang
Senior Project Manager,
Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
Phone: (604)-630-1527
kenny.zhang@asiapacific.ca
www.asiapacific.ca
