Calgary: Wanted, more investors from China

Using DIRTT

Yin will use the company DIRTT Environmental Solutions Ltd to showcase the area's technology prowess and a highly skilled work force. Founded in 2005 and still based in Calgary, DIRTT (which stands for doing it right this time), is a technology-driven manufacturer of customized interiors that is radically modernizing the multi-billion dollar construction industry.

The company's 3-D ICE software is an application that digitally superimposes potential renovations so someone can move walls, select furniture and cabinetry to custom design an interior space. Most construction or remodeling projects allocate 70 percent of costs to labor and 30 percent to materials. DIRTT's process reverses that to 30 percent labor and 70 percent for materials.

The company had sales of over C$300 million in 2016. DIRTT executives strive to make the company's culture a key part of its working acumen. Everyone is provided two meals a day at the Calgary headquarters.

"The company believes it is better for us to be here and working rather than wasting time by looking for a place to eat lunch," said employee Liana Gilmour

Real estate currently represents a low-profile frontier for Calgary and Alberta according to Yin and Mar. The Chinese have shown a preference for real estate investing and already do a lot of it in Vancouver and Toronto.

Mar also believes that health care provides another potential investment opportunity for Chinese FDI. "I am an adviser to New Journey Hospital Group in China. They own oncology (cancer) hospitals. They have hired me to look for companies that make medical devices and are involved in proton therapies," he said.

The University of Calgary (UC) in particular is expanding its relationship with the Chinese. In 2014, UC established a program that allows science and engineering undergraduate students in China to start their studies at home and complete them in Calgary.

Earlier this year the University of Calgary signed a collaboration agreement with Kerui Group to offer short-term training programs for oil and gas professionals at the Victor International Institute of Petroleum Training in Dongying.

"Chinese students are interested in Canada," noted Yin.