The Premier along with his delegation depart today for a fifteen-day trip to Asia.
This is the Premiers’ eighth trip to Asia, the goal of this trip according to a press release is to participate in discussions to improve trade, education, culture, and tourism.
The lions share of the trip will be spent in China where they hope to further increase trade relations. In 2013 when the first one of these trips took place Nova Scotian exports to China were $172 million, in 2018 that figure was $793 million.
Director of International Affairs, Buddy Walzac says most of that comes from one sector.
“Of that $793 million, $525 million of that was seafood. Also seeing growth is agri-products specifically blueberries.”
The education-based goals of the trip involve bringing more Asian students to Nova Scotia universities.
Walzac spoke about the current streams that exist to incentive specifically Chimes students to come to Nova Scotia.
“We currently have fifteen schools in China that offer the Nova Scotia curriculum, now some of them are applying to other schools in Canada, outside of Nova Scotia.”
On the tourism front, McNeil will be looking to coordinate a regular charter flight from China to Halifax that would bring an influx of Chinese tourists.
Some details about who the Premier will be meeting are available. Premier McNeil will meet with the governors of Shandong, Fujian and Guangdong provinces. In Japan, he will meet with Ian Burney, ambassador of Canada to Japan. He will also attend ocean-tech meetings.
Ahead of the trip, Premier McNeil made a statement on the importance of this trip.
“Asia is our fastest-growing trading partner and it is important that we continue to develop new opportunities and strengthen existing relationships,”
