Premier Scott Moe will head to Japan and South Korea next week on an 11-day trade mission. The goal is to attract investment and advance Saskatchewan’s trade interests.
The focus will be on promoting Saskatchewan agriculture and agri-food products. According to a press release, discussions will focus on advancing opportunities under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement.
The trip will begin Oct. 7 and will also include a stop in Hong Kong to meet with investors.
The mission will include important business and industry stakeholders, as well as involvement form provincial academic institutions.
Since 2007, Saskatchewan’s exports to Asia have increased 158 per cent, from $3.3 billion to $8.5 billion in 2018. Last year, the province’s exports to Japan were valued at $1.13 billion. Nearly all of those exports were agri-food products.
“Saskatchewan has the food, fuel and fertilizer the world needs,” Premier Moe said in a news release.
“Global market connections are the lifeblood of our economy, with Saskatchewan goods shipped to more than 150 countries each year. Asia is one of the most important markets for our province, and Japan and South Korea are vital to our continued export growth in the region. We place a high priority on not only continuing to develop and diversify existing links there with our key economic sectors, but also establishing new ones.”
This is the first time Premier Moe will visit either country.
