Premier Announces Sister Province Agreement with Guangdong

Nova Scotia continues to build on economic opportunities with China. Premier Stephen McNeil signed a sister agreement with Guangdong, China’s leading province in gross domestic product, on Sunday, Nov. 18.

“This agreement strengthens the relationship between our provinces and will open up even more opportunities in trade, tourism and education,” said Premier McNeil. “We are building on partnerships in key sectors, including seafood, agri-food and the ocean economy, and helping open doors for Nova Scotia companies and universities.

“This will also help our effort for a direct flight between Halifax and China.”

Under the Agreement of Understanding and Friendship for a Sister Province Relationship Between the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada, and the Province of Guangdong, China, the two provinces commit to further developing their relationship in areas of trade, investment, information and communication technologies, the ocean economy, agriculture, energy, education, culture, tourism and transportation and logistics.

Nova Scotia is now the third province to have a sister agreement with Guangdong, a maritime province with a population of about 110 million people. Alberta and British Columbia are the others.

The province launched the Nova Scotia-China Engagement Strategy in 2016 to develop the relationship with one of the world’s fastest-growing markets.

Provincial exports to China reached $604 million in 2017, up from $150 million in 2012.

Source: Release