Backgrounder: 2012 Council of the Federation Mission to China

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Premier Darrell Dexter of Nova Scotia will lead a delegation of ten provinces and territories on a Council of the Federation (COF) trade mission to China from September 13-20, 2012.
Participating provinces and territories include:


  • Nova Scotia;

  • New Brunswick;

  • Manitoba;

  • British Columbia;

  • Prince Edward Island;

  • Saskatchewan;

  • Alberta;

  • Newfoundland and Labrador;

  • Northwest Territories; and

  • Yukon


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Members of the trade mission will attend the World Economic Forum and make stops in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

The COF mission will include a number of joint events for all jurisdictions, including political meetings with Chinese government officials and events with business organizations in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

Most jurisdictions are bringing business delegations representing their key industries with interests in China, as well as political leaders and government officials.

NWT Delegation and Activities

The NWT delegation includes eight people: Premier Bob McLeod and one support staff, MLA Robert Hawkins, Chair of the Standing Committee on Economic Development and infrastructure, two officials from the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment and representatives from the tourism, mining and fur industries.

Delegates will take part in meetings and briefings allowing them to make connections with Chinese officials and business people and to learn about doing business in China and potential opportunities for marketing NWT products and services. The mission will also be an opportunity to learn about new developments in the production of alternative energy and telecommunications.

Premier McLeod will participate in a panel discussion on Canadian investment opportunities hosted by the Canada China Business Council in Beijing, will speak about tourism opportunities at an event hosted by the Canadian Tourism Commission in Beijing and will speak about investment opportunities at a Canadian Chamber of Commerce event in Shanghai. A variety of meetings with Chinese politicians and officials are also being arranged.

Mission Objectives

NWT objectives for the trade mission include:

 


  • Serve as a jumping-off point to meet and build relationships with Chinese leaders and business contacts;

  • Enable NWT business representatives to explore new trade opportunities, gather market insights and acquire business contacts;

  • Identify potential business partners and distributors;

  • Highlight the NWT as an ideal tourist destination, showcase our resource potential and encourage Chinese investment in Canada; and

  • Expand knowledge of NWT products, such as arts and crafts and fur, in China.


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Business opportunities

China is the world’s second-largest economy and represents a fast-growing segment of Canada’s global trading market. Working together to build our political and trade relations with China is a key objective of this mission.

China is Canada's fastest growing tourism market. Chinese travel to Canada has increased dramatically since China granted Canada Approved Destination Status in 2010. This means Canada can actively market in four main Chinese cities, making this the time for the NWT to capitalize on increased Chinese interest in Canada.

Canada’s exports to Asia reached $32 billion in 2010, an increase of 141% since 1990. This growth is primarily due to exports to China which today represent a $14 billion market for Canadian goods and services.

NWT furs are in great demand in China. They are among the best in the world and our trappers are very skilled at their trade. Providing quality wild fur is no easy task, and our Northwest Territories trappers regularly offer high quality, well-handled fur pelts for sale at auction.

Value of trip

The estimated cost to the GNWT is $68,000, including approximately $12,000 to support NWT business delegates.

The trip is a strategic investment that will help NWT businesses establish new contacts, explore new opportunities and grow the NWT economy. Establishing new business relationships with China will diversify our economy and provide opportunities in all our communities and regions.

2007 NWT Mission to China

Premier Joe Handley led a GNWT trade mission to Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong in September 2007, as it was determined to be an ideal time for the Northwest Territories to start building trade and businesses relationships in China. The mission focused on promoting investment in the NWT’s transportation and tourism sectors. The total cost was $130,000.

The delegation was made up of 11 people, including Premier Handley and one support staff, Senator Nick Sibbeston, one representative from Industry, Tourism and Investment and seven business delegates.

Many tourism operators made connections with local tour operators and received a number of enquiries and requests for follow-up information and tours geared to the Chinese market.

Council of the Federation

The Council of the Federation (COF) was created in 2003 to allow Premiers to work collaboratively to strengthen the Canadian federation by fostering a constructive relationship among the provinces and territories and with the federal government.

COF includes all 13 provincial and territorial Premiers. The NWT has been involved in COF since its inception.

Premiers hold an annual summer meeting and meet on other occasions as required to discuss issues of importance to Canadians.

The 2012 mission to China was announced at the January 2012 COF meeting. COF objectives for the trade mission include:

 

 


  • Building and deepening productive relationships between provincial/territorial governments, businesses and educational institutions and counterparts in China;

  • Advancing and creating trade and investment opportunities in key sectors of importance to provinces/territories and to China; and

  • Demonstrating to China’s business and political leaders that Canada’s provinces and territories value their collective and unique relationships with China.


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