Delegation to Advance Nova Scotia’s Relationship with the United Kingdom

Trade Minister Geoff MacLellan will travel to England and Scotland next week to help build the Nova Scotia-United Kingdom trade relationship, pursue economic opportunities and further strengthen awareness of the tourism industry.

Mr. MacLellan will fly on WestJet’s inaugural direct flight from Halifax to London-Gatwick on Sunday, April 29. The addition of this direct route represents another link to the U.K. and connections throughout Europe, important markets for Nova Scotia.

“We have a successful trading relationship with the U.K. and want to continue to advance economic opportunities that will lead to more jobs here in Nova Scotia,” said Mr. MacLellan.

“We’ve also seen record tourism numbers in Nova Scotia in recent years and want to keep building on that momentum.”

He will be joined by representatives of Tourism Nova Scotia, the Halifax International Airport Authority and the Department of Intergovernmental Affairs.

While in the U.K., he will promote Nova Scotia as a tourism destination, attend the Atlantic Export Café and Savour Event to endorse the region’s premium seafood, meet with business leaders looking to invest in Nova Scotia and meet with Canada’s High Commissioner Janice Charette.

Nova Scotia exports to U.K. were $85 million in 2017. Key exports included fish and seafood ($47 million), machinery and equipment ($11 million), wood products ($9 million) and instruments for ocean technology ($7 million).

The delegation will travel from London to Edinburgh before returning to Halifax May 3. Mr. MacLellan will then travel to Ottawa for meetings with his federal, provincial and territorial counterparts responsible for innovation and economic development.