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On Thursday, November 29, 2012, the Ottawa Chapter of the Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT-Ottawa) capped off a very successful year with its Holiday Social. The event featured something for everyone: international trade, exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of the Royal Canadian Mint (the Mint), cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, live classical and folklore music by Cantabile, fabulous door prizes and guest speakers.
The featured speaker of the evening was Luc Fournier, Assistant Vice President, Global Trade & Receivable Financing at HSBC. Mr. Fournier’s discussion, entitled “East to West or West to East? The New International Trade Reality,” focused on how the international trade vectors are shifting from an Eastern supply to the Western World to a Western supply to a fast growing Eastern buyer. He outlined what this means for Canada, particularly Ottawa, and the implications for Canadian businesses and basic needs for businesses to be a part of the shift.
Attendees also had the opportunity to participate in a behind the scenes tour of the mint. The visit included operations that are not ordinarily seen by the public.
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHY
Luc Fournier, Assistant Vice President, Global Trade & Receivable Financing at HSBC spent half his life in Asia (mostly China) and the other half building bridges between Asia and North America. A strong believer in cultural adaptation and a notorious entrepreneur, he has worked as a Vietnam / China tour guide, a Beijing real estate agent and ultimately became Head of the Visits and Protocol Unit with the Canadian Embassy in Beijing. In amongst his travels Luc also found time to complete a B SC (Major in Chinese, Minor in Geography) at the University of Montreal, a Chinese Language Certificate at the University of Nankai in Tianjin, China and a Master Degree in Medical Geography at University of Montreal.
Further to his position with the Canadian Embassy, Luc returned to Canada in May 2000 and continued to work for the Federal Government in Ottawa. Leaving the Public Service, he started four companies offering a range of services such as; importing goods from Asia, creating a retail business model for Asian furniture, selling goods over the Internet, and finally, providing consulting services for companies dealing in China.
Having obtained an amazing wealth of experience and knowledge in a wide variety of areas, Luc decided to pursue a business and management career. He returned to school and completed his MBA with the University of Ottawa in 2004. For five years, Luc was the Senior Manager International Trade for the National Bank of Canada, where he was providing international advice to over 600 clients (for Ontario and Western Canada), representing the NBC at the Factors Chain International Forum as well as contributing to the overall strategy of the bank in Asia.
Luc Fournier is currently Assistant Vice President, Global Trade & Receivable Financing at HSBC and has been a presenter at numerous lectures, trainings and conferences at prestigious institutions, such as the Ivey School of Business, University of Ottawa, University of Montreal, as well as several Fortune 500 companies.
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