An event to promote strengthening ties with Canada’s third-largest trading partner took place in downtown Calgary on Tuesday, as part of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) roadshow multi-city series.

The Bank of China (Canada) (BOCC) and the Canada China Chamber of Commerce (CCCC) announced cross-Canada promotional events to draw participation in the ninth annual CIIE in Shanghai between Nov. 5 and 10.

BOCC president and CEO and CCCC president Dr. Deng Jun said Canadian businesses are looking for more trusted pathways into international markets as global trade dynamics continue to evolve.

“Through this national roadshow, we aim to provide practical insights, strategic connections, and on-the-ground support to help Canadian companies successfully enter and grow with China,” Jun said.

The roadshow also provides insight on key Canadian industries like agri-food, agriculture, consumer goods, retail, medical equipment and health-care products.

China a ‘top-priority market’ for Alberta, says province

Calgary was the first stop in the series, which brings business leaders, government leaders and industry partners together to learn more about how Canadian businesses can expand into the Chinese market.

Assistant Deputy for the Alberta Minister of Trade, Karen Wronko, said China remains a top-priority market.

Since small- and medium-sized enterprises are central to Alberta’s agri-food sector, ensuring their success internationally is a key priority for the province.

“We are focused on enabling SMEs to scale, diversify, and compete globally through targeted supports, and these supports include sharing market research and intelligence, business-to-business introductions,” Wronko said. “Opportunities to showcase our products internationally, outbound trade missions for key international trade shows, and hosting incoming buyer delegations to introduce international buyers to Alberta’s world-class food producers and processors. Our objective is clear to reduce the barriers, expand access, and position Alberta companies for long-term success in markets such as China.”

Saskatchewan has ‘deep ties to the Chinese market,’ says non-profit executive

Assistant Deputy Minister of International Engagement for the Government of Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Trade Development, Ryan Cossitt, said they continue to build on the commerce relationship, demonstrated through the recent Canada-China trade agreement.

“We at the government of Saskatchewan are extremely proud of the role that we helped play federally to support the current Canada-China treaty,” Cossitt said. “And of course, part of that is the success of our own Saskatchewan Trade and Investment Office in China, which helped to play a key part in that role. Saskatchewan continues to prioritize this work because we understand how important relationships are with China. China is our second largest trading partner, and our exports to the country totaled over $2.9 billion last year alone.”

President and CEO of Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership, Chris Lane, said their organization is the only one in Canada that is set up to specifically support and work directly with private exporters to move Saskatchewan-made products and services globally.

“Saskatchewan exports 70 per cent of what we produce and it’s responsible for about half of the GDP of our province,” Lane said. “Exporting is what Saskatchewan does. We have a long history of it and we have deep ties to the Chinese market.”

Interest in events such as the CIIE that introduce companies to new opportunities has grown.

“We look forward to only growing our footprint, our presence, and ultimately our business connections in China and Saskatchewan,” Lane said.