News release

Premier Welcomes European Union Ambassadors

Premier's Office

Building on Nova Scotia’s already strong partnership with Europe will result in more trade and investment opportunities for Nova Scotia businesses and create jobs for Nova Scotians.

Today, Oct. 17, Premier Stephen McNeil is welcoming European Union (EU) ambassadors to the province, so they can see for themselves the many exciting opportunities here.

“I am pleased to welcome the EU ambassadors to Nova Scotia and to showcase our innovative sectors that are competing and winning on the world stage,” said Premier McNeil. “These important relationships will lead to enhanced trade, further investment and stronger partnerships that benefit our economy and create jobs.”

The visit is a result of the premier’s meeting with EU ambassadors in Ottawa last month when he invited the heads of mission to find out more about the province’s innovative strengths in ocean technology, ICT, energy, clean technology, biotechnology, life and health sciences, forestry, and the agri-food and seafood sectors. The ambassadors will connect with businesses related to these sectors while they are in Nova Scotia.

The Nova Scotia-Europe Engagement Strategy, launched last spring, and the premier’s mission to Europe in May 2019, have increased interest in the province as a great place to do business.

In addition, the Comprehensive and Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the EU and the European Free Trade Agreement provides opportunities for businesses and institutions in Canada and Europe.

Quotes:

“As ambassadors representing the European Union and numerous of its member states we are happy to be here to explore opportunities for co-operation and exchanges with Nova Scotian authorities and businesses. On behalf of the European Union I thank Premier McNeil for his invitation. Nova Scotia is a natural trading partner for Europe and we welcome that the Nova Scotia-Europe Engagement Strategy points to further openings in this relationship. My colleagues and I look forward to working with the government of Nova Scotia to make sure businesses on both sides of the Atlantic can fully benefit from CETA.”

– Peteris Ustubs, head of EU delegation to Canada

Quick Facts:

  • other EU ambassadors visiting Nova Scotia are from Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden
  • 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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