Premier Redford Discusses Business Diversity with Business Leaders in Beijing
TORONTO, June 29, 2012 /CNW/ - The diversity of sectors that stand to benefit from increased bilateral trade and investment with China was the focus of a keynote delivered today by Alberta Premier Alison Redford, at a luncheon hosted by the Canada China Business Council (CCBC) in Beijing.
"Agriculture, natural resources, machinery — the list is impressive and it only confirms for Alberta that our efforts to strengthen ties with China are the right thing to do," said the Premier. "There is every reason why we should work together. Alberta and China both want the same thing: sustainable growth fueled by responsible industry. And together we are in a position to invest and realize that future."
Premier Redford is in Beijing attending the Euromoney Canada-China Investors Forum from June 27 to 28. Her speech to an audience of 100 business executives from Canada and China touched on the burgeoning trade opportunities in education, tourism, and agriculture. Premier Redford also took part in a CCBC-led roundtable with Canadian and Chinese businesspeople, focusing on these sectors and how to bolster cooperation between the two countries. Participants included GUO Xiaodong, Vice President of China Youth Travel Services, ZHANG Yi, Vice Provost, Tsinghua University, and CHEN Yixin, Deputy General Manager of Sinograin Oils Co. Ltd.
"Alberta's role as a secure and reliable trading partner resonates with China in its pursuit of natural resources and energy security," said Peter Harder, President of the Canada China Business Council. "Premier Redford's visit however, serves to elevate Alberta's profile in a wide variety of industries, which speaks to a trade and investment strategy that strengthens the province as a whole, for generations to come."
CCBC is the country's leading Canada-China bilateral trade and investment facilitator, catalyst and advocate, representing the interests of the Canadian business community on issues affecting Sino-Canadian trade and investment.
"Last month, my government started the Asia Advisory Council, chaired by our Associate Minister of International and Intergovernmental Affairs, Teresa Woo-Paw, to find new and better ways of creating those agreements — in every area from technology to education and the arts," said the Premier. "Research agreements, academic exchanges, international jobs and a curriculum that offers young Albertans the chance to become deeply familiar with China's language and culture; these are the ways we are preparing the next generation to strengthen the links with China that are so vital to Alberta."
Continued, high-level engagement between Alberta and Beijing is essential to creating the frameworks, infrastructure, and other mechanisms necessary to boost our dynamic trade. The CCBC enthusiastically welcomes the Premier to Beijing, and the spirit of cooperation that she espouses.
About the CCBC
The Canada China Business Council (CCBC) is the country's Canada-China bilateral trade and investment facilitator, catalyst and advocate. Founded in 1978 as a private, not-for-profit, non-partisan business association, CCBC provides unparalleled insight into Sino-Canadian trade and investment issues and develops connections that ensure its members' business success. In addition to its focused and practical services, the Council is also the voice of the Canadian business community on issues affecting Sino-Canadian trade and investment.
Media inquiries:
Alexis Milinusic
Director of Communications
EMAIL: [email protected]
PHONE: 416-954-3800 ext 314
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