For Immediate Release: June 17, 2008
DBEDT Release News 08-14

HONOLULU--The Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT), in partnership with the Pacific and Asian Affairs Council, is pleased to host a Hawai'i Global Links Forum featuring Canadian Consul General Marc LePage, on Tuesday, July 1, 2008, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the first floor conference room of the Hawai'i State Art Museum (250 S. Hotel St.).

Consul General LePage will present an overview of the Canadian economy and discuss trade relations between Canada and Hawai'i.

"Canada has become an increasingly important visitor segment for Hawai'i, and significant trade opportunities have opened up between Hawai'i and Canada, especially with the strengthening of the Canadian dollar," said DBEDT Director Theodore E. Liu. "Hawai'i business interests should take a hard look at the opportunites in Canada."

Marc LePage was appointed Consul General in July 2005 of the Consulate General of Canada, San Francisco / Silicon Valley with responsibility for northern California, Nevada and Hawai'i.

Formerly with Genome Canada, Marc brings extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology, and venture capital.

Mr. LePage joined the Trade Commissioner Service of the Department of Industry, Trade and Commerce in 1980 and has served abroad in Stockholm, Havana and San Diego, California.

In 1994, Mr. LePage moved to the Medical Research Council of Canada (now the Canadian Institutes of Health Research) to serve as Director of Business Development. Upon its launch in July of 2000, he joined Genome Canada as Executive Vice-President of Corporate Development, the capacity in which he has served to date.

Mr. LePage holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Moncton, New Brunswick. He is married to Catharina Munthe-LePage and has four children.

Registration is free but due to limited seating please call or email your RSVP to: Trinh Nguyen, Director of College and Community Outreach Pacific and Asian Affairs Council (PAAC) Tel: 808.944-7784; E-mail: cc@paachawaii.org

For more information, contact:
Dave Young, DBEDT Communications
Phone: (808) 587-1212
Email: dyoung@dbedt.hawaii.gov