Federal and provincial politicians are on a trade mission in China this week in an effort to increase Atlantic Canada's ties to the world's largest consumer market.
Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence McAulay, Treasury Board President Scott Brison, and the premiers of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland are in China along with more than 70 business leaders, university presidents, and non-governmental organizations for trade shows and business meetings.
The goal of the mission is to promote Atlantic Canada's food, education, clean growth and tourism sectors. Brison said in an interview with BNN Bloomberg that the trade mission is part of the broader Atlantic Growth Strategy launched by Ottawa and the four provinces in 2016.
"A regional approach, where the federal government helps support the work of our businesses in Atlantic Canada and the work of our provincial governments, can make a real difference and take the level of trade and opportunity over time to a new level," said Brison, who is also a Nova Scotia Member of Parliament.
Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil will be travelling to China for the second time this year. According to the federal government, exports to China from Atlantic Canada grew 37% last year to more than $1.5 billion, with seafood exports having doubled in the past five years.
Chinese tourism is also on the rise, while Atlantic Canadian universities currently get more than 30% of their international students from China. In Nova Scotia's case, China is the province's second largest trading partner after the U.S., with exports having grown from $150 million in 2012 to $494 million in 2016.
The trade delegation is visiting the cities of Qingdao, Shanghai and Beijing, where it will take part in the China Fisheries and Seafood Expo, the China International Import Expo, and the Canada China Business Council Annual General Meeting and Business Forum.
