Premier Leads Delegation to Asia to Discuss Trade, Education, Culture and Tourism

Strengthening the trade and cultural relationship with Asia will attract investment, increase our exports and create more jobs in Nova Scotia. Premier Stephen McNeil will lead a delegation to China, Japan and South Korea, Nov. 8-23.

While in China, he will meet with the governors of Shandong, Fujian and Guangdong provinces, and participate in various meetings to discuss trade and investment opportunities related to transportation, tourism, culture and education.

"Asia is our fastest-growing trading partner and it is important that we continue to develop new opportunities and strengthen existing relationships," said Premier McNeil. "We are continuing to support the efforts of Nova Scotia businesses and educational institutions pursuing the Asian market, creating awareness of Nova Scotia through cultural exchanges and tourism efforts and promoting air access between our province and China.”

Events in China also include taking part in the Canada-China Business Council annual general meeting and joining Nova Scotia food and beverage companies attending Food and Hotel China, a major international food and beverage trade show in Shanghai.

The province will sign a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Guangdong Province to help create opportunities for Nova Scotia’s vibrant and unique cultural products.

In Japan, the premier will attend ocean-tech business meetings and meet with Ian Burney, ambassador of Canada to Japan. In South Korea, the premier will attend energy-related business and government meetings.

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and Aquaculture, Keith Colwell, is also travelling to China and Vietnam from Nov. 8-21.

He will join Premier McNeil at Food and Hotel China, and then participate in separate meetings and events to promote Nova Scotia products in Shanghai, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Highlights of Nova Scotia’s relationship with China include:

• $793 million worth of goods were exported to China in 2018, compared to $197 million in 2013
• between 2013-18, the number of Chinese students studying in post-secondary institutions in the province increased by 23 per cent, bringing the number of Chinese university students here to 3,500
• a twinning agreement was signed with Guangdong Province in 2018, a friendship agreement with Fujian Province in 2018 and a friendship agreement with Shandong Province in 2016

Highlights of Nova Scotia’s relationship with Japan include:

• $93.4 million in goods were exported to Japan in 2018. The top export was seafood. Other significant exports were frozen blueberries, tires, and gelatins
• in 2018, Nova Scotia had 6,000 tourists from Japan visit the province
• there are 104 Japanese students studying in Nova Scotia universities. Highlights of Nova Scotia’s relationship with South Korea include:
• $108 million in goods were exported to Korea in 2018
• Nova Scotia exported $84 million in seafood to Korea in 2018. Other top exports are navigational instruments ($3.7 million), food products ($3.5 million), scrap aluminum ($1 million), and peat ($600,000)
• there are 171 South Koreans enrolled in Nova Scotia universities and colleges, up from 92 in 2013.