Saskatchewan Business and Market Development Mission Korea and China – September 2016
Saskatchewan Business and Market Development Mission Korea and China – September 2016
Regina, Saskatchewan – Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP), along with a strong contingent of 27 officials representing 16 exporting members and 7 industry associations, will embark on a Saskatchewan Provincial Trade Mission to South Korea and China from September 19 – 23, 2016.
The mission will include trade and business to business meetings in the agriculture commodities and agri-food sectors. The delegation will visit Seoul, South Korea where the Canada South Korea Free Trade Agreement has created strong exporting opportunities for STEP members as a result of the tariff lift for many Saskatchewan-produced goods. The mission will also include a business program in Qingdao, Shandong Province of China which operates a major seaport receiving Saskatchewan grain and pulse products. The itinerary in both markets will include company specific programs, targeted business to business matchmaking sessions, importer meetings, and workshops/seminars.
President & CEO Chris Dekker said that the mission is part of the Province of Saskatchewan mission, and the STEP delegation is honoured to have Premier Brad Wall’s participation at key events.
“Premier Wall’s ongoing support for expanding exports into the Asian region and his leadership on the international stage will serve our members well,” Dekker said.
STEP will be entering into three international cooperation agreements to foster Saskatchewan export development with the Korean Importers Association, the China Chamber of Commerce (for the Import of Foodstuffs, Native Produce, and Animal By-products), and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade – Qingdao. STEP will also present Certificates of Appreciation to 14 of the top Chinese importers of Saskatchewan products at a special ceremony in Qingdao.
Dekker noted that the Asian region is a key and growing export market for the province.
“In 2015, Saskatchewan exported $3.3 billion of products to China alone and included canola, peas, soy beans, flax, wheat, barley and other agri-food related products. STEP and our participating partners view this mission as a tangible opportunity to promote business to business relationships and expand export sales into these markets.”
Celebrating 20 years as an export and market development agency, STEP is a non-profit, membership driven, government/industry partnership, designed to promote the growth of Saskatchewan’s export industry. For more information, visit www.sasktrade.sk.ca.
Contact Information:
Chris Dekker, President & CEO
Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership (STEP)
Tel: 306 787 1550
cdekker@sasktrade.sk.ca
