Premier Kathleen Wynne departed today on a week-long trade mission to China, where she will showcase innovative Ontario companies and help them build partnerships in this key market that will bring jobs to communities across Ontario. Premier Wynne is leading delegates from about 60 Ontario businesses and organizations that specialize in clean tech and science and technology. The Premier is joined by Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure, and Michael Chan, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade. Both ministers will work to promote Ontarios strengths as a partner for trade, investment and innovation. The mission begins in Nanjing, the capital of Ontarios sister province, Jiangsu. The delegation will also travel to Shanghai, and then to Beijing, where the Premier will join the Premiers of Prince Edward Island and Québec for the Council of the Federation mission. The mission, which concludes November 1, will build and deepen productive relationships not only with the Chinese central governments, but also between provincial governments, businesses and educational institutions and their counterparts in China. Attracting new investments and helping the provinces businesses compete globally is part of the governments economic plan for Ontario. The four-part plan is building Ontario up by investing in peoples talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives, and building a secure savings plan so everyone can afford to retire. QUICK FACTS Based on KPMG’s Guide to International Business Location Costs, overall business costs are lower in Ontario than in the U.S., France, Italy, Germany, Australia and Japan. In 2013, Ontario goods exports to China were $2.2 billion, an increase of almost 10 per cent from 2012. According to the Conference Board of Canada, every $100-million increase in exports creates approximately 1,000 new jobs. In 2011, Ontario and China launched a joint fund to support research collaboration projects in strategic technology sectors. The Ontario-China Research and Innovation Fund is supporting research in clean-air technologies and medical devices in 2014. LEARN MORE Premiers Mission to China: An Overview Find out more about the science and technology delegation Find out more about the clean tech delegation Read about Ontario’s Going Global Trade Strategy MULTIMEDIA AND ELECTRONIC PRESS KIT This News Release has multimedia content and a downloadable electronic press kit. Click here to access on news.ontario.ca. QUOTES Trade missions are an integral part of our plan to make Ontario more competitive globally. We are committed to helping Ontario businesses open doors and build connections in this key market. — Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario
Posted on: Sat, 25 Oct 2014 18:01:10 +0000