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TSX Group Returns To China In Response To Demand From Chinese Companies - Focus In On Attracting Chinese Companies To List In Canada

Date 19/01/2005

In response to widespread interest in the Canadian capital markets, TSX Group is in China this week to continue its goal of attracting international listings. Delegates from TSX Group have been to China twice in the last three months, the most recent trip in November. In addition to building listings, TSX Group’s objectives in China are to increase awareness of the strengths of Canada’s capital markets among Chinese companies and to further contacts with Chinese advisors and intermediaries so they are better able to service Chinese companies seeking access to Canadian capital markets.

TSX Group’s business development team will participate as a member of the Canadian Trade Mission heading to China, headed by Prime Minister Paul Martin. On the agenda are planned stops in Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Beijing. In Guangzhou, TSX will participate in an investment forum organized by Chinese securities firm Sun Wah, where it will address an audience of Chinese investment bankers and securities lawyers. Also attending this conference will be the mayor of Vancouver, which is Guangzhou’s sister city. Consistent with its international approach, TSX Group is a co-sponsor of the conference with Canadian law firm Lang Michener LLP and investment bank Kingsway Group.

“Guangzhou is a leading financial city in China,” said Robert Fabes, Senior Vice-President, Toronto Stock Exchange. “Meeting with and presenting to leading Chinese investment bankers and financial intermediaries, as well as to companies with an interest in North America, will increase knowledge of TSX Group and the Canadian markets among key intermediaries in the listing process.” Guangzhou has become one of the economic centres of China, and has been witness to considerable new company growth. It is a major exporter to North America and an important new market for Canadian businesses.

“We have been working to increase our listings from China, a market in which we see tremendous potential, “added Robert Fabes. “What we offer Chinese companies is a world-class exchange in traditionally strong sectors, like mining and resource, and also in additional sectors like tech, biotech, and industrial. Moreover, Canada has well-established and successful capital markets for small and mid-sized companies, with particular strength for companies looking to raise up to $50M in financing. In these areas, we believe Chinese companies will be better served and can gain greater visibility in Canada than in the U.S.”

TSX Group’s business development team has made a number of trips to China over the past year, presenting at forums focused on overseas listings for Chinese companies. Eighteen Chinese companies are listed on TSX and TSX Venture Exchange and TSX Group estimates that at least 50 listed companies have significant properties or operations in China.

About TSX Group Inc. (TSX-X)
TSX Group operates Canada's two national stock exchanges, Toronto Stock Exchange serving the senior equity market and TSX Venture Exchange serving the public venture equity market as well as Natural Gas Exchange (NGX), a leading North American exchange for the trading and clearing of natural gas and electricity contracts. TSX are the initials attached to the core equity operations of the TSX Group (www.tsx.com): Toronto Stock Exchange, TSX Venture Exchange, TSX Markets, TSX Datalinx, TSX Technologies. TSX Group is headquartered in Toronto and maintains offices in Montreal, Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver.