Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison has returned from a successful trade mission to India, his first visit to the country, where he attended several meetings and conferences to promote Saskatchewan.
“Our recently released Growth Plan includes aggressive trade and investment targets and the Indian market will be key to achieving those goals,” Harrison said. “This trade mission was an important step to further building our relationships and promoting Saskatchewan products.”
Harrison travelled to New Delhi where he addressed more than 350 delegates at the Indo-Canadian Business Chamber Annual National Convention and to Mumbai where he spoke at the Canada-India Business Council Forum. Harrison highlighted Saskatchewan as a reliable provider of agri-food products, potash and uranium to India.
In addition, he spoke about investment opportunities in the province, the importance of immigration and opportunities for international students in Saskatchewan as a result of several educational partnerships with post-secondary institutions.
Harrison was joined on the mission by Harper and Associates Chairman and CEO Stephen J. Harper. They met with senior Indian government ministers and officials to discuss reducing trade barriers, strengthening partnerships, and opportunities to collaborate on research between India and Saskatchewan.
“India is one of our most important export markets and these meetings and speaking opportunities provided a significant opportunity to tell Saskatchewan’s story as a provider of sustainably produced food, fuel and fertilizer to a growing world population,” Harrison said. “Building on our relationship with India and growing our exports to the country will help to create a stronger economy and stronger communities at home in Saskatchewan.”
As part of the Growth Plan, the Government of Saskatchewan committed to opening a new international trade and investment office in India.
In 2018, Saskatchewan exported $629 million in goods to India, including potash, pulse crops, uranium and semi-chemical wood pulp.