Atlantic Growth Strategy mission strengthens trade relationship with China
News release
Three-city mission helped develop stronger business-to-business connections and showcase Atlantic Canada exports.
November 15, 2018 – Moncton, New Brunswick – Government of Canada and Atlantic Provinces
Trade with China represents one of Canada's greatest opportunities for economic growth, as China is one of the largest and fastest growing economies. Building on our trade relationships with China is key to creating good well-paying jobs in Atlantic Canada.
Federal ministers and Atlantic premiers concluded a successful visit to China this week as part of an Atlantic Growth Strategy mission to promote the region's food, clean growth, education and tourism sectors. The mission encouraged new partnerships with Chinese officials and businesses and strengthened the region's trade relationship with China.
At least 11 confirmed agreements were signed during the China Fisheries & Seafood Expo (CFSE) and the China International Import Expo (CIIE) for a projected value of $321.6 million.
The governments of Canada and the Atlantic provinces are committed to build on these successes and the strong relationship it has established with China. China is the second largest single country trading partner for most Canadian provinces and Canada's third largest source of tourists. Canada offers China a stable supply of high-quality products, services and technologies to help meet the growing needs of its middle class. Notably, Atlantic learning institutions offer excellent education and research opportunities for students from China, which is the largest source of international students in the region.
This mission is a result of cooperative actions through the Atlantic Growth Strategy, a federal and provincial initiative that directs targeted actions to stimulate the region's economy, support both innovative and resource-based industries, and increase job opportunities for Atlantic Canadians.
"The federal-provincial mission to China was a great opportunity for Atlantic Canadian entrepreneurs to reach new markets. By supporting Canadian ingenuity and innovation at home and abroad, we are helping businesses thrive. And as these companies grow, they will create more middle-class jobs for Canadians.
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
"I am honoured to have participated in this mission to China with my federal and provincial colleagues. I know first-hand about the universal appeal and high-quality of Atlantic Canadian products. Continued efforts to enter into new markets are showing results and will contribute directly to the prosperity of workers and families across the Atlantic region."
– The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
"The mission to China helped open new doors for Atlantic Canadian businesses. When businesses from our region succeed in global markets, they are better able to generate growth, which raises incomes and strengthens the middle class in Atlantic Canada."
– The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Northern Affairs and Internal Trade
"This mission to China was a great success, and we will continue to feel its positive impacts for many years to come. Building fruitful international trade relationships is an essential part of growing Atlantic Canadian businesses, creating more jobs and long-term prosperity for our region."
– The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health
"Canada is a trading nation, and trade is in Atlantic Canada's DNA. The Atlantic Growth Strategy's unprecedented level of federal-provincial collaboration on this mission gave our entrepreneurs an opportunity to tap into the Chinese economy, translating directly into more jobs for Atlantic Canadians and growth for the middle class."
– The Honourable Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board
"China is already the second-largest export market for most Canadian provinces. We can boost job creation at home by providing our businesses with a stronger platform on which to grow their exports, creating the access and confidence they need to participate in this fast-growing market. This trade mission to China was a catalyst to further increase Canadian exports and leverage Canada's competitive advantages."
– The Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of International Trade Diversification
"Deepening our ties with China, as well as other Asia-Pacific countries, will strengthen our economy, fostering growth and providing opportunities for Atlantic Canadians. When we boost exports, we create well-paying jobs that build the future of Atlantic Canada."
– The Honourable Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance
"Through this mission, we helped Atlantic Canadian businesses and organizations promote their products and services in the Chinese market. The numerous events that we attended will lead to increased exports for Atlantic Canada, strengthening the economy. As we near the conclusion of the Canada-China Year of Tourism, I am confident that Canada's unique tourism experiences will continue to attract record numbers of Chinese tourists, creating economic growth and good middle-class jobs across our country."
– Alaina Lockhart, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie
"Prince Edward Island's vibrant economy continues to grow. The mission to China gives Island companies and educational institutions the opportunity to highlight the many benefits of collaborating with our province. The face-to-face meetings allow us to strengthen our relationship with the Chinese and to expand our market reach for our world-class products and services. Islanders can look forward to increasing exports and showing the world that the Mighty Island is a valuable partner across sectors."
– The Honourable Wade MacLauchlan, Premier of Prince Edward Island
"Nova Scotia is a trading province, and we know increasing exports will make our economy stronger and help create jobs here at home. We are pleased to see our relationship with China continue to grow and create opportunities for our exporters and their world-class products."
– The Honourable Stephen McNeil, Premier of Nova Scotia
"Our trade mission to China provided us with a valuable opportunity to strengthen relationships and create awareness of how Newfoundland and Labrador businesses can benefit from this ever-growing economy. We look forward to using this experience to further position our province for growth in China and create new jobs for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians."
– The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
"Education is the glue that connects people in Canada and China. The agreements we signed with our Chinese counterparts help to diversify our curriculum and export more of our Canadian expertise and excellence into more regions of China."
– Brian McMillan Ph.D., President, Holland College (PEI)
"Being at the expo allowed us to show China and the rest of the world that there's a great product being made in New Brunswick. At the end of the day, there's a big world out there and going international gives us the ability to reach our full potential and grow our community at the same time."
– Adam Clawson, Owner, Red Rover Craft Cider (NB)
"It [China Fisheries and Seafood Expo] was a great show. We will walk away knowing we have new customers. And the fact that you have the Canadian Pavilion provided the chance to network with other industry members from across the industry. That in itself created new opportunities for the companies."
– Allan MacLean, Senior Operations Manager, Louisbourg Seafoods (NS)
"Ocean Choice is excited to enter into a cooperation agreement with Qingdao Meichu Food focused on the expansion of sales of our seafood products in the Chinese retail and e-commerce markets in particular. Leveraging this partnership with our existing strategically located sales offices in China will provide significant synergies to increase the presence and awareness of our Newfoundland and Labrador seafood products in the world's fastest growing seafood market."
– Martin Sullivan, CEO, Ocean Choice International (NL)
Quick facts
Launched in July 2016, the Atlantic Growth Strategy focuses on five strategic priorities for the region: trade and investment; skilled workforce and immigration; innovation; clean growth and climate change; and infrastructure.
Of the $1.5 billion Atlantic Canadian goods exported to China in 2017, over 43 per cent were seafood, fishing and aquaculture products.
Overall Atlantic Canadian exported goods to China have been steadily increasing since 2014, with the 2017 total alone being more than 37 per cent higher than 2016.
Chinese travellers typically spend more on average than other travellers. The average amount spent per trip in 2017 was $2,387. Chinese tourists contributed an estimated $1.6 billion to the Canadian economy in 2017.
