Alberta minister leads major trade delegation to ‘priority markets’ Japan and China

More than 80 Alberta companies and economic development groups will be part of a government trade and investment mission to China this month.

The goal of the trip – organized by the province, Edmonton Economic Development Corporation and Calgary Economic Development – is to attract buyers and investors to Alberta businesses. It will take place between Nov. 21 and 26.

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Trade Minister Deron Bilous will lead a mission to Japan and China between Nov. 15 and 27. The goal of that trip is to help diversify markets and strengthen relationships, the province said.

“Asia is a priority market for Alberta,” Bilous said. “This mission builds on the success of previous missions to the region and will result in increased trade opportunities and investments to Alberta companies and the province.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Asia is a priority market for Alberta," Bilous said. "This mission builds on the success of previous missions to the region and will result in increased trade opportunities and investments to Alberta companies and the province.

“In the end, by getting Alberta businesses to new markets, we are supporting new jobs here at home.”

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Those taking part in the trip will promote Alberta industries like clean technology, oil and gas, forestry, agri-food, tourism and emerging technologies.

“The bottom line is that trade missions like this support Alberta jobs,” Paul Whittaker, president and CEO of Alberta Forest Products Association, said. “As an export-focused sector, Alberta’s forestry companies know that we need to maintain our existing markets and expand into new markets over time. Building and maintaining strong, ongoing trading relationships with our customers around the world will keep our forest sector and Alberta’s economy strong and diversified.”

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The trip was planned well before the outcome of the U.S. presidential election. And, while the U.S. remains Alberta’s biggest trading partner, the focus on diversifying markets remains as strong as ever. A Donald Trump presidency doesn’t change Alberta’s plan, Bilous said.

“Long and short, the answer is no,” Bilous told 630 CHED.

“The fact of the matter is Alberta needs to continue to diversify our markets. We want to build a resilient strong economy. The best way to do that is to have multiple trading partners, multiple buyers for our products.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The fact of the matter is Alberta needs to continue to diversify our markets. We want to build a resilient strong economy. The best way to do that is to have multiple trading partners, multiple buyers for our products."

“Obviously the U.S. is our largest trading partner,” the minister added. “They’re a very valued ally. There’s no question on that front. But we need to ensure that our companies and our products are getting top dollar and the way to do that is to work with partners internationally and to build on existing partnerships.”

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China and Japan are Alberta’s second- and third-largest partners, respectively.

The province said in 2015, Alberta’s two-way trade with the two nations totalled more than $7.8 billion. Alberta’s trade with China increased by 16 per cent in 2015.

It will cost an estimated $60,000 to send Bilous, one political staffer and one departmental staffer to Asia. Alberta companies participating in the mission are responsible for their own expenses, the province said.

With files from Scott Johnson, 630 CHED