Ontario will be embarking on an agri-food trade mission to China starting April 16, 2015 to build on the success of the province's agri-food exporters in China, introduce a new group of businesses and organizations to this important market, and to set the stage for growth and job creation in Ontario.
Twenty Ontario businesses and organizations will join Ministers' Jeff Leal and Michael Chan to raise awareness about Ontario food and to build business and government relationships. The 10-day mission will begin in Beijing, and include stops in Weifang, Shouguang, Nanjing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.
Helping Ontario's agri-food businesses compete globally is part of the government's plan for the province. The four-part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people's 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
- The April 2015 mission will build on the success of Premier Kathleen Wynne’s 2014 trade mission to China
- Ontario’s agri-food sector is a significant driver of economic growth, contributing $34.8 billion in GDP to the provincial economy and employing 767,000 people.
- The Chinese market is growing rapidly and is currently Ontario’s second largest agri-food export market. Ontario’s total agri-food sales for 2014 to China, including exports to Hong Kong, reached $832 million.
- The last Ontario agri-food trade mission to China took place in January 2013.
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