Province gearing up for opening of international offices in 2021

The Government of Saskatchewan says it is on track to open new international trade and investment offices in 2021. Managing directors have been hired for each office, while a new managing director has been hired for the office in China.

“Strong economic recovery will require a strong international presence and these offices will strengthen our trade relationships and help us bring safe, secure Saskatchewan products to the world,” Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said in a press release. 

“Led by a team with considerable international experience, these offices will play a critical role in helping us strengthen trade relationships, support Saskatchewan businesses, grow our exports and attract new investment into our province.”

The New Delhi office will be led by Victor Lee, who has over 10 years of experience in international business development and foreign affairs.  Prior to this appointment, Lee served as the Director, Trade and Investment – Asia Pacific, Government of Alberta, and Trading Manager – Energy and Mineral Resources, Mitsui & Co. (Canada).

Paul Pryce will serve as Managing Director for the Tokyo office. He served Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs for almost seven years as Principal Advisor to the Consul General of Japan in Calgary, where he was also responsible for Saskatchewan.  

The Singapore office will be led by Greg Eidsness, an international business development specialist with 15 years of experience in public and private sector organizations. He previously served as Director of International Market Development at the British Columbia Ministry of International Trade.

Finally, Winston Kan has been hired as Managing Director in the China office, located in Shanghai.  Kan was most recently the Managing Director of the Government of Alberta Beijing Office.

Saskatchewan’s merchandise exports to India in 2019 were valued at approximately $775 million, exports to Japan in 2019 were valued at $1.1 billion, while merchandise exports to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2019 were approximately $1.2 billion. China is Saskatchewan’s second-largest export market.

Saskatchewan export numbers were up 22.5 per cent year-over-year in October. That represents the highest percentage increase among the provinces.