Premier Stephen McNeil will lead a delegation to Asia on Friday, Jan. 26, to pursue economic opportunities, including direct air access with China.
“China is one of our fastest-growing trading partners and an important part of our economic growth agenda,” said Premier McNeil. “We have seen our trade with China increase in recent years and we want to continue pursuing opportunities to make our economy stronger and create more jobs for Nova Scotians.”
The premier will be joined by representatives of Nova Scotia Business Inc., the Halifax International Airport Authority, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Intergovernmental Affairs during the mission, which lasts until Feb. 4.
In China, the delegation will travel to Guangdong and Fujian provinces. Meetings will be held with government officials, Canada’s ambassador to China John McCallum, and various business leaders.
In April 2016, Nova Scotia introduced Partnering for Success: The Nova Scotia – China Engagement Strategy, aimed at enhancing the province’s relationship with one of the world’s fastest growing markets.
Highlights of Nova Scotia’s relationship with China include:
— total exports to China grew from $420 million in 2015 to $494 million in 2016, including a 21 per cent increase in seafood exports
— the province exported over 945,000 kilograms of blueberries, other fruits and nuts to China in 2016
— 41 per cent of Nova Scotia’s international students are from China, creating $122 million in economic impact
— 15 schools in China offer the Nova Scotia high school curriculum to nearly 3,000 Chinese students each year
— Nova Scotia has signed memorandums of understanding with Shandong and Guangdong provinces, two economically dynamic regions that are home to a combined 190 million people
The mission also includes stops in Tokyo and Seoul, South Korea, for government and business meetings.
For more information about Nova Scotia’s relationship with China, visit www.novascotia.ca/china.
Source: Release
