News release

Premier to meet European Union Ambassadors on Trade

Premier's Office

Premier Stephen McNeil will be in Ottawa Monday, Sept. 23, to promote cultural, trade and investment opportunities in Nova Scotia to European Union (EU) Ambassadors.

The visit comes on the heels of the launch of the Nova Scotia-Europe Engagement Strategy and Premier McNeil’s mission to Europe earlier this year.

“We already have many successful trading relationships with European countries and I’m very happy to see the continued interest from EU ambassadors in expanding and enhancing those relationships,” said Premier McNeil. “I look forward to welcoming the ambassadors to Nova Scotia in the near future so they can see first-hand the exciting opportunities we have to offer.”

The Comprehensive and Economic Trade Agreement between Canada and the EU and the European Free Trade Agreement provides opportunities for businesses and institutions in both Canada and Europe. The Ottawa meeting builds on the premier’s mission to Europe in May 2019, as well as recent visits to Nova Scotia by the EU Ambassador, representatives from Belgium, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Portugal and the United Kingdom.

Quick Facts:

  • Europe is Nova Scotia’s third largest trade and investment partner, behind the United States and China
  • more than 300 Nova Scotia companies are exporting goods to European markets
  • key exports include seafood, berries, wood and energy products, and machinery
  • the value of exports to Europe in 2018 was $597 million
  • more than 250 European firms are operating in Nova Scotia in a variety of sectors, employing thousands of Nova Scotians

Additional Resources:

For more information on the Nova Scotia-Europe Engagement Strategy, visit https://novascotia.ca/europestrategy/

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