On March 29, 2022, 10:00am – 11:30am EDT, the Canada China Business Council (CCBC) hosted the third event in the “Navigating China’s 14th FYP by Sector” series, in partnership with the Economist Intelligence Corporate Network. The third session of this five-part series focused on the Agribusiness sector and was designed to strengthen the ability of Canadian businesses to assess risks and opportunities with regards China’s 14^th Five Year Plan (FYP) to improve their competitiveness in the China market. It was facilitated by Anne Chiou, who serves as Hong Kong Director for the Economist Intelligence Corporate Network.

The link to the video presentation is available upon request. Please contact your regional Chapter Director to request access:

• Atlantic: Edward Dai
• Quebec: Philippe Jeanneau
• Ontario: Jeff Zhang
• Prairies/Nunavut/NWT: Philippe Jeanneau
• BC/Yukon: Philippe Jeanneau
• Beijing: Noah Fraser
• Shanghai: Edward Dai

Despite strong economic statistics and growth projections, there are challenges abound for the Chinese economy. The global environment is presenting new challenges for China, including negative perceptions from developed economies, growing US-China tensions, and COVID-19 related disruption. Further, domestic risks to the economy are complicating an already complex economic restructuring process. China’s development strategy must be increasingly responsive to these new challenges. Two guiding principles – Dual Circulation and the Common Prosperity initiative – have emerged. One element of President Xi’s notion of common prosperity is the pursuit of higher living standards for the middle class, which includes developments in food safety and higher food quality standards. This is especially relevant for Canadian businesses operating in the sector.

The Agribusiness sector is a key component of the Canada-China economic relationship, with agricultural/agri-food exports accounting for one third of Canada’s total exports to China. It is expected that some agricultural commodities – such as grain – will rise rapidly in price as the Ukraine crisis impacts global supply. Canada will be well-positioned to fill this void and serve markets with high demand.

The 14^th FYP, Ms. Chiou explained, places a priority on rural revitalization and agricultural modernization. China’s long-standing worries surrounding food security, exacerbated by a relative lack of arable land, has led policymakers to prioritize agricultural self-sufficiency. However, there is a still a growing demand for non-staple food imports – such as oil crops – of which Canada is well equipped to supply. There are also opportunities for foreign firms to take advantage of rising consumer demand for “sustainable, high-quality foods” and cultivated meat/alternative proteins, which have received fast regulatory approval and increased R&D focus.

Registration was $25+HST for CCBC members, $50+HST for non-members. Simultaneous French interpretation was available for each session.

CCBC thanks CanExport Associations for partial funding support for this program.

Agribusiness Sponsors:

About the speaker:

Anne Chiou
Hong Kong Director
Economist Intelligence Corporate Network

Ms. Chiou is the Director of The Economist Intelligence Corporate Network in Hong Kong. She engages top executives throughout Asia in providing key insights and industry knowledge on strategic issues central to business developments in the region.

Ms. Chiou brings extensive regulatory, business and policy as well as non-profit expertise. Prior to joining the Economist Group, she was Head of Programs for Business and Policy at the Asia Society Hong Kong Center. She also worked extensively with senior banking executives as a regulator at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong. Ms. Chiou also formerly worked with multiple fintech start-ups, advising them of regulatory trends in Asia. Ms. Chiou has a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Pomona College and a Master in Public Policy from Harvard University.