Thank you to Consul General Rick Savone and the members of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, for hosting us today. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Year!
It is my pleasure to be here in Shanghai to speak on behalf of the Northwest Territories during our Trade Mission to China. Events like these provide us with an opportunity to continue to expand our networks and deepen our productive relationships in an effort to develop trade and investment opportunities between Canada and China.
We have so much to learn from the Chamber of Commerce, with your understanding of the intricacies of Canadian and Chinese businesses working together. This is something that is of key importance to the Northwest Territories, as we seek to expand and build on our ties with China.
I would like to take an opportunity to share a bit about the Northwest Territories.
Our territory covers a huge land mass of 1.17 million square kilometres, but we have a small population, with less than 50,000 residents living in 33 communities.
To put things in context, our population would fit twice in Shanghai stadium, but is spread out over a space almost the size of Mongolia, but several degrees farther north. Our southernmost border begins at the 60th parallel.
The Canada Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai is of particular importance to us in the territory. As a smaller jurisdiction, it is essential for us to work with our Chamber partners across Canada and the world to advance business issues of importance.
For the Northwest Territories, our relationship with China is still in its early stages, and we know this this relationship holds tremendous potential. We have much to offer that I believe may be of interest to your businesses.
For example, we have a treasure trove of incredible resources in our territory. Much of our territory is comprised of pristine wilderness and untouched landscape, with great tourism potential.
Our population includes a fascinating variety of Aboriginal cultures – as an example, our government has 11 official languages that include nine traditional Aboriginal languages.
Of particular interest to China is our wild fur – China is one of the main buyers of our wild fur, which is of excellent quality for the fashionable consumer. It is well-known as some of the best wild fur in the world.
And of course, some of our most valuable resources are those in the mining, oil and gas industries. We are the third highest producing diamond region in the world, by value, with immense mining activity and potential from copper and gold to rare earths.
We have a wealth of untapped energy resources, including an estimated 81.2 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and nearly seven billion barrels of oil. This does not include extensive off-shore resources.
The Northwest Territories truly is spectacular, and I am very pleased to have the opportunity to speak to you about it during this lunch today. I look forward to learning and sharing more with you.
Thank you.