By Patrick Book

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall makes trade visit to London, meets with Queen

Feb 25, 2011 | 2:27 PM

Saskatchewan's Premier is visiting London, England this week, looking to drum up interest in Saskatchewan's economic potential after the fall-out from BHP Biliton's Potash Corp takeover attempt.

Headlines in business publications across the pond were less than generous after Brad Wall encouraged the federal government to reject BHP's hostile takeover bid last summer. Wall admits the timetable for the five-day trade mission was stepped-up to counter the possible perception that Saskatchewan isn't friendly to foreign investment.

As it turns out, that appears to be the last thing he's hearing during meetings with CEOs of international companies, banks, and investment firms.

“They've watched what happened with the stock price and saw that nobody spontaneously combusted and that foreign direct investment interest has actually picked up in Saskatchewan and not declined,” he said during a conference call with reporters Friday morning. “I think as time has passed there's a lot of perspective on that takeover deal and I also think that's why it was the right time to come.”

Wall also met face to face with BHP head Andrew Mackenzie for the first time since the takeover was rejected. He called the conversation “excellent,” insisting there are no hard feelings over the deal. He points to the company's commitment to its Jansen potash mine in Saskatchewan, which continues to proceed, as evidence.

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The Premier admits no specific agreements have been struck yet, but he insists the trip, which precedes another planned trade visit to India later this year, has more to do with making first contact as opposed to securing deals.

“There was a lot of surprise when I would list all the things that we produce in a world class way,” he stresses, noting that already one company has requested more information on the province's uranium industry.

The Premier is also conducting interviews in numerous media outlets while in England, attempting to sway business reporters.

In betweeen the raft of meetings, however, Wall was also able to squeeze in a quick meeting with the Queen. While he can't say exactly what they talked about, he did extend an invitation to the royal family to attend the provincial legislature building's 100th anniversary next year.

“I was able to point out that her great uncle, the Duke of Connaught, was there to dedicate it in 1912 and we invited any member of the royal family to come and join us next year.”

Wall also gave the queen a stained glass portrait of the Legislature, created by local artists Janice Stefan and Debbie Wells. The two sisters run a studio called Sister Stepping Stones in Regina. He also provided some books written by local author and musician Connie Kaldor for her to read to her new great-grandchild.

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