TSX Group is sending business development officials to the northern region of China with the aim of raising awareness of Canada’s capital markets and attracting international listings.

Delegates from TSX Group were last in China in November, attending the China Mining Show. This trip, which will focus on Beijing, Shenyang and Dalian, where Kevan Cowan, senior vp of business development with Toronto Stock Exchange, will showcase the strengths of Canada’s capital markets among Chinese companies and will meet with Chinese advisors and intermediaries who help service Chinese companies seeking access to Canadian capital markets.

“We see this as a wonderful opportunity to take our story to hundreds of potential listing prospects, said Cowan. “We’re working aggressively to increase our listings from China, a market in which we see tremendous potential. He added, “What we offer Chinese companies is a world-class senior exchange in traditionally strong sectors, like mining and other resources, and also in new sectors like tech and biotech. Moreover, we have a well-established and successful junior market, ideal for companies looking to raise smaller amounts of financing. In these areas, we believe Chinese companies are better served in our market than in the U.S.”

In addition to this trip, TSX Group has plans to return to China later this year to continue with the business development strategy in that region. The China trip is part of a larger effort to promote TSX abroad and increase the number of international listings on both TSX and TSX Venture Exchange. According to Cowan, “We have seen strong growth in the number of new international listings over the last 2 years and we hope to accelerate this growth through an increased international presence.”

TSX already has listed several Chinese companies including the recent TSX-V listing of Migao Corporation, a fertilizer manufacturing company and the latest Chinese company to list in Canada.

TSX’s trip is in conjunction with a number of sponsors including RBC Capital Markets, Research Capital Corporation, LeoFibo Holdings Inc., Newhaven Corporate Finance Ltd., Blakes LLP, Lang Michener LLP, Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, Deloitte & Touche LLP and Ernst & Young LLP.