News Release Archive
AGRICULTURE/MARKETING--ASIA PACIFIC TRADE DELEGATION WELCOMED ----------------------------------------------------------------- Agriculture and Marketing Minister Guy Brown is enthusiastic about the two day visit by Asian buyers and trade commissioners to Nova Scotia. Mr. Brown met with the delegation at a Halifax breakfast reception hosted by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada this morning, to welcome them to the province and encourage them to forge business links in Nova Scotia. The meetings are part of the "Canada's Year of the Asia Pacific" agriculture trade initiative announced by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Minister Ralph Goodale on Monday. "I am encouraged by the interest in trading partnerships between our two regions," said Mr. Brown. "Nova Scotia is now exporting over $70 million dollars in agri-food products around the world and is ready to expand even further in this area. There is tremendous potential for us to develop trade in the Pacific Rim and as new opportunities become available, we want our industry to be there to serve those markets." Nova Scotia's agri-food industry currently contributes $1 billion to the province's economy and is actively working to develop its markets. The Asia Pacific region is Canada's largest trading partner after the United States. The strength of the Asia Pacific economies presents substantial export potential for Nova Scotia's agri-food products. The delegation includes three buyers from Japan, and three Canadian trade commissioners who work in the Asia Pacific region. Eighteen representatives of Atlantic agri-food and seafood businesses will be meeting with the group during their visit. In addition to these one-on-one meetings, presentations were also given by the trade commissioners on opportunities for Atlantic food processors in Asia. -30- Contact: Linda MacDonald 902-893-6380 trp Feb. 21, 1997 - 11:30 a.m.