Director-General of Investment Promotion Mike Rowse has called on Toronto's business leaders to take advantage of Hong Kong's place as an international business and financial centre, and Asia's logistics hub.

Addressing 250 people at a luncheon seminar today Mr Rowse highlighted the advantages of Hong Kong's free trade agreement with the Mainland and explained the city's unique two-way gateway role which allows foreign companies to do business with China and for Chinese companies to go global.

He said Hong Kong has attracted companies from different countries to set up operations to access lucrative markets in the region, such as Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, which opened its new Asian regional headquarters in Hong Kong September 3.

"Some 3,900 overseas and Mainland companies operate regional headquarters or regional offices in Hong Kong," he said. "Companies in Mainland China have increasingly recognised Hong Kong's strategic role as the springboard to expand regionally and globally. This is something Hong Kong welcomes wholeheartedly and is set to continue and strengthen as the city further develops its role as China's major international financial and business service centre."