Good morning and thanks for meeting with us today.  We have just come from Beijing and I have to say, I’m really pleased to see so much fur and fur trim on the high-end garments we have been seeing on the streets of China during our visit.  The heart of fashion really does beat strong here.

I would like to open our roundtable discussion here today by giving you a bit of information about tourism in Canada and the Northwest Territories.

Canada is a huge country with many diverse regions offering great tourism opportunities for Chinese people. Wherever you are in Canada, our vast wilderness and major cities alike offer the traveler the chance to explore, discover and experience something new every time. Whether you are interested in arts and culture, fine dining or outdoor adventure, Canada has got it.

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.

YELLOWKNIFE (January 16, 2014) – Premier Bob McLeod and Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment David Ramsay promoted the NWT fur industry at the Beijing Fur Fair and International Fur Trade Federation Forum this week during their China Trade Mission, along with MLA Robert Hawkins and members of the NWT delegation.

Good afternoon everyone. As the Minister of Tourism for the Northwest Territories, I would like to echo Premier McLeod’s sentiments about how excited we are to host Chinese visitors to our spectacular territory.

Shortly, Ms. Kelly Kaylo will be giving a presentation about all of the amazing things to see and do in the Northwest Territories – things such as exploring our vast wilderness, dining on authentic northern food, or experiencing our traditional cultures.

Thank you and Good Morning. This is my fifth trip to China and I am very happy to be back. As Premier of the Northwest Territories I’m pleased to talk to you about tourism opportunities in the Northwest Territories. I’d like to thank the Canadian Tourism Commission for hosting this event and for the work it does to help promote Canada as a tourism destination around the world and especially here in China.

YELLOWKNIFE (January 8, 2014) – Premier Bob McLeod and Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment David Ramsay will lead a delegation to China to promote the NWT as a trade partner, a follow-up to the successful Council of the Federation Mission to China in 2012.

During that mission, there was significant interest from the mining, energy, furs, and tourism industries about the NWT’s potential to serve the Chinese market, and Premier McLeod committed to support partnerships to expand these industries.

YELLOWKNIFE (December 18, 2013) – A new and improved Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) website launched today with a strong focus on client needs.

“ITI has always prided itself on having a strong relationship with our clients, and this new site will be a great way for residents to access the information they need, quickly and easily,” said Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment David Ramsay.  “The new site provides an enhanced web user experience and contains current, accurate information on ITI programs and services.”

YELLOWKNIFE (December 16, 2013) – Investments in energy efficiency programs,  developing alternative energy systems, and reducing the high cost of energy in the Northwest Territories are highlights of the NWT Energy Action Plan, released today by the Ministerial Energy Coordinating and Climate Change Committee-of-Cabinet (MECC).