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Premier Brad Wall set to make an 11 day visit to Asia

Sep 14, 2016 | 1:46 PM

Premier Brad Wall will be going overseas to discuss Saskatchewan’s food and energy industries.
 
The 11 day visit will see the Premier visit South Korea and China.
 
Wall said this trip is supported by Saskatchewan exporters.
 
“Ours exporters are saying that we need to be in those markets. We have to continue with our economic growth plan, with our approach to try and expand investment and improve exports,” said Wall.
 
This will be the first trip by a Saskatchewan Premier to South Korea, and Wall says the country provides a unique opportunity for expansion.
 
“In the last five years we’ve seen exports go from about $86 million to $104 million in South Korea. That’s an important country for our potential uranium expansion, also for potash and also for agriculture.”
 
Premier Wall will also be making his third trip to China where the issue of Canadian canola has been brought up recently.
 
“I congratulate the Prime Minister for being in China recently and raising the Canola issue. We will be raising that blackleg issue as well.”
 
The Government of Saskatchewan says overall Saskatchewan international exports are up by 38 per cent and $1.7 billion in specific investments in Saskatchewan since 2010.

Premier Wall begins his visit on Sept. 17.

NDP’S RESPONSE

The NDP’s Carla Beck wants to Premier to keep the interests of the people in  the province at the top of his mind while on this trip.
 
“I think anytime that we go on these trade deals we have to be very clear about what our goals are. I think the Premier needs to keep in mind the interests of the people of Saskatchewan and ensuring that our natural resources remain in the hands of Saskatchewan people and that these trade deals work in the interests of Saskatchewan people,” Beck said.