Features
IT Visionary Colley Hwang, ICT Advisor to the President of Taiwan, visits Waterloo Region
In collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office in Canada and the Taiwan Trade Centre in Toronto, CTT hosted Mr. Colley Hwang, ICT Technology Advisor to the President of Taiwan on July 21st. As an IT visionary in Taiwan and Founder of DigiTimes, Mr. Hwang’s comments are read by thousands of IT leaders around the world.
Mr. Hwang spoke to a group of ICT leaders from across Waterloo Region and promoted the idea of investing in Taiwan and using Taiwan as a springboard to mainland China.
Today, Taiwan is the world's second-largest producer of information technology goods, with many of its semiconductor, optoelectronics and communications products commanding a large share of the global market. It accounts for nearly 70% of global IC (Information communication) chip output, while also ranking first in IC packaging and testing. It places second in the world in IC design services, accounting for a quarter of the global market. Taiwan is also the world's biggest manufacturer of large thin-film transistor liquid crystal display panels.
Mr. Hwang credited Taiwan's success, in part, to industry restructure and supply chain evolution, a proactive perspective regarding the mobile market, and cross-border cooperation, as well as competition. When speaking about Taiwan's hold on technology production of global brands, Mr. Hwang emphasized that over 60% of students in Taiwan have a strong engineering background. "Taiwan's skill," said Mr. Hwang, "is beyond imagination".
During his visit to Waterloo Region, Mr. Hwang visited with representatives across the ICT sector, including those from Sandvine, Communitech, and the Canadian Digital Media Network.
Colley Hwang is the president and founder of DIGITIMES Group, the only IT-centric daily in Taiwan. DIGITIMES was established with supports from founders of IT firms, including Acer, Asus, Mitac, Wistron, Foxconn, TSMC and other Taiwan major ICT vendors. DIGITIMES includes a Daily paper, DIGITIMES Research, and digitimes.com.
Mr. Hwang is the author of “Taiwan—The Republic of Computers”, “Advancement & Long March to China”, “Cross Century War of Information Industry”, and others.
‹‹ Return to Top
Regional Economic Development News
|
 Waterloo Region ranks second among Canada's urban economies - Waterloo Region has the second best performing economy among Canadian urban centres, according to a new report from CIBC. The Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo census metropolitan area trails only Toronto in the latest Canadian Metropolitan Economic Activity Index rankings from CIBC World Markets. | more |
|
|
 Waterloo's Building Block - It has been a rough time for anyone passing along Erb Street West between Father David Bauer Drive and Caroline Street North recently. Years of construction have wreaked havoc in uptown Waterloo. But there is good news. All the patience is about to pay off as three of the four major projects near completion. And when it’s all done, the former factory laden corridor will be transformed into one of the busiest and most interesting areas in Waterloo Region. | more |
|
|
 Digital Media Partnership Focuses on Technology and Communication Development in Canada- The Centre d’entreprises et d’innovation de Montréal has become the newest hub in the Canadian Digital Media Network, making it the first Quebec-based digital media organization to join the CDMN. The CDMN issued the announcement from CEIM offices on... | more |
|
|
 OpenText acquires Global 360- OpenText (NASDAQ: OTEX) (TSX: OTC) announced today it has acquired Global 360 Holding Corporation, a leading provider of process and case management solutions. The acquisition continues OpenText's expansion into the fast growing business process management (BPM) market, adding to its technology, talent, services, partner and geographical strengths, as well as giving the company important new capabilities in dynamic case management. | more |
|
|
 Economic Action Plan Helps Ontario's Agri-Processing Sector- Canada's Economic Action Plan has provided real results for Canada's food producers and helped them deliver the highest quality food to consumers at home and abroad. MP Harold Albrecht (Kitchener-Conestoga), on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, congratulated Jones Feed Mills today on improving their business with the support of up to $633,160 from the federal government.| more |
|
|
 A Grander View Hits Double Platinum - Enermodal Engineering’s headquarters, A Grander View, recently received its LEED NC and CI Platinum certifications from the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC). A Grander View was awarded 61 of 70 NC points and 50 of 57 CI points – this is the most CI points ever achieved by a Canadian project. | more |
|
|
 Conestoga College to Open Huge Expansion- Conestoga College is ready to unveil the largest expansion in its history. A new $22-million wing in the college’s school of health, life science and community services will open next month on the Doon campus. | more |
|
|
 Ontario Toyota Plant to see $545 million investment - Two Toyota plants in Ontario will receive a $545-million injection from the Japanese automaker and Canadian governments to give the facilities a green makeover and ensure the survival of thousands of jobs in the province. | more |
|
|
 City of Kitchener flips swtich on Canada's largest solar roof installation - The City of Kitchener hosted a ceremony to celebrate the installation of a 262,000 square foot solar roof on the Kitchener Operations Facility, a major achievement in the City’s plan to become more environmentally sustainable. The 600 kilowatt installation will allow the city to generate electricity directly from the sun and contribute to the region’s electricity grid. This will create enough energy to power 100 homes. | more |
|
View all Regional Economic Development News
Regional EcDev News | Media Releases | CTT Blog
‹‹ Return to Top
Events
Chairman's Breakfast with WALTERFEDY - Building on History: Great Spaces Through Adaptive Reuse
On June 28th, WALTERFEDY hosted a Chairman's Breakfast on the topic of "Building on History: Great Spaces Through Adaptive Reuse". WalterFedy is an award winning architectural, engineering and construction management firm who is as committed to infusing new life into old buildings as they are into designing amazing new structures. The presentation was particularly thematic - taking place in their new headquarters located in an adapted warehouse space. Attendees heard about how WALTERFEDY has helped turn derelict industrial, commercial / retail space into cutting edge workspaces for global companies, including Google's new home in the Tannery Building.
Roger Farwell, Partner and Architect described the driving factors in adaptive reuse as government mandate, urban renewal and growth plans, changing perceptions of older buildings, and an increased focus on sustainability. As for the benefits of this approach - they are many. Adaptive reuse maintains the historical character of a community, is the ultimate form of recycling, calls for innovative design solutions, and has substantial economic advantages.
Said Roger, "This is an exciting topic in Waterloo Region today. There is a great deal of dynamic economic development happening - not just in new buildings, but in adaptive reuse. It's a key part of urban revitalization."
For a glimpse of some exciting WALTERFEDY projects, visit http://www.walterfedy.com/portfolio/.
Upcoming Events
CTT's Exploratory Business Mission to Brazil - September 6 - 17, 2011 | Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Curitiba
Whether you are interested in meeting business partners, leads and prospects or simply curious to learn more about where you and your firm fit into a ‘Brazil Strategy’, this business mission is for you. This is an extraordinary opportunity to join CTT and its partners to meet with Brazilian firms, organizations and senior government officials in key target regions for the Waterloo Region. The business mission will start in Brasilia, and progress to Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and Curitiba, and includes attendance at Futurecom in Sao Paulo or the International Logistics Forum in Rio de Janeiro: We will also explore opportunities in Curitiba, an area south of Sao Paulo known for its car manufacturing industry, commerce and financial, professional services sector, SMART enterprises, and status as an intelligent community. Attendees so far include City of Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr, and representatives from CTT, City of Cambridge, University of Waterloo, Logikor, and Exchange Magazine.
>> See Business Mission to Brazil details
>> View City of Cambridge Mayor Doug Craig's speech on his recent partipation in CTT's Business Mission to China
For more information, please contact John G. Jung, at john@techtriangle.com 519-747-2541 ext. 101
‹‹ Return to Top
Investment Opportunities
Start Here! Waterloo Region - Canada's Technology Triangle
Set to Showcase at Siggraph 2011
By Bill Elliot, VP Business Development, CTT
The collaborative spirit of Waterloo Region is at work again with preparations for a tradeshow booth at Siggraph 2011 – the 38th International Conference and Exhibition on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques.
SIGGRAPH attracts the leaders in the industry by consistently showcasing the latest innovations in the computer graphics industry. These leaders will come to SIGGRAPH 2011 with the authority to make decisions, budgets that support their purchasing goals, and definite plans to buy. Following SIGGRAPH 2009, nearly half of attendees said they had plans to spend more than $10,000 annually, and 18% planned to spend more than $100,000. More than 20,000 high-level executives, animators, game developers, engineers, artists, and others from around the world are expected to attend SIGGRAPH 2011. They want to learn about the latest technologies, look for new products, and discover new ideas. All this adds up to an ideal opportunity to promote Waterloo Region as a great place to invest, live, work, and play.
CTT, City of Kitchener, Communitech, Waterloo Region Tourism Marketing, Conestoga College, University of Waterloo, Christie Digital, Google, Electronic Arts, Machteld Faas Xander, RIM and Perimeter Development Corporation have been working together to develop specific messaging about the Region that speaks to the computer graphics industry.
Christies’ innovative MicroTiles will feature Regional multimedia on the theme of “Start Here” - for Careers, Start-ups, Diversity, Creativity, Education, Lifestyle & Investment. The Digital Media sector in Waterloo Region continues to grow and expand, spearheaded by the Communitech HUB, a 30,000 sq. ft. facility that houses technology start-ups, enhances innovation, seeds partnerships, fuses digital media with venture capital and has brought entrepreneurs, multinational companies and academic institutions together. CTT will be meeting with companies looking to expand operations and presenting the Region as an ideal opportunity for investment.
For more information contact:
Bill Elliot, VP Business Development
bill@techtriangle.com
519.747.2541 ext. 201
‹‹ Return to Top
Organizational Updates
Reflections on Canada's Technology Triangle
By Anne Lukin, Manager, Strategic Partnerships
Summer is a great time in Waterloo Region – The City of Kitchener Blues Festival, UpTown Waterloo Jazz Festival, gelato, patios... It’s a time for changing gears. And, for some of us, a time to change jobs!
Some people go to work for a paycheque – the past few years I’ve been going to work for an education. Working at CTT has been a great informal education in what makes a community appealing - lively arts and culture, cafés and scenic rivers – but also progressive urban planning and top-notch post-secondary education institutes! Sitting in on CTT Board of Directors and community meetings has taught me a lot about working across boundaries and industries to build a great community. |more |
Introducing Reemah Khalid, Special Projects and Event Coordinator
CTT would like to take this opportunity to formally introduce Reemah Khalid, our new Special Projects and Event Coordinator. A soon-to-be graduate from the Honours Business and Communications co-op program at the University of Waterloo, Reemah's professional experience includes working for Microsoft, Deloitte Consulting, and CIBC. An active member in the Waterloo Region community, Reemah advocates for youth in her leadership capacities as a Senator at the University of Waterloo, representing 24,000+ undergraduate students and previously as a Councilor for the Federation of Students. Reemah also serves on the Barnraisers’ Council of Waterloo Region. In her spare time, Reemah can be found exploring our region, playing volleyball and spending time with family and friends.
Contact Reemah for information about upcoming events or to explore becoming a CTT corporate partner at reemah@techtriangle.com or 519.747.2541 ext. 301.
‹‹ Return to Top
Media and other news
Call for nominations for the Prime Minister's Volunteer Awared (PMVA)
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP Waterloo Region Attracts Partner with International M&A Practice - July 14, 2011
Ontario's Solar Market Boom - June 30, 2011
Remade in Canada - The Future of Factories - June 10, 2011
Partners
CTT relies on its private sector partners for financial support, advice and expertise. With their help, we have attracted over 60 new companies to Waterloo Region over the years. We wanted to give special thanks this month to our longest running partners, Melloul-Blamey Construction Inc. (supporter since 2002) and Waterloo Inn Conference Hotel (since 2003). Other partners that have renewed their CTT support for more than five years include Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Miller Thomson LLP, Bank of Montreal, Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP, McDonald-Green and University of Waterloo. We appreciate all our partners, and invite you to consider joining this stellar group of local leading companies. Contact reemah@techtriangle.com for more information on becoming a CTT partner.
Our Municipal Partners
Our Corporate Partners
Gold
Emerald
Silver
Bronze
Community