McKnight leads Asian trade delegation

A Canadian business delegation led by Energy, Mines and Resources (EMR) Minister William McKnight is currently visiting Thailand, Korea and Japan.

“These countries are important trading partners for Canada, in a region that is growing rapidly as a market for Canadian imports and a source of investment in Canada,” McKnight said. “I have co-ordinated this mission to advance Canadian mineral, energy, geomatic and agricultural interests in the region, and to open new doors for private sector Canadian companies pursuing business abroad.”

The delegation consists of Canadian organizations involved in nuclear energy, uranium mining, mineral production, power production and engineering services, environmental management, geomatic technologies and agriculture. McKnight will also be meeting with government and business leaders in the three countries, including his ministerial counterparts.

“Thailand has recognized Canada’s leadership in geomatics by taking a significant interest in EMR’s new Geographic Information Systems Program,” he said. Geomatics is a field of expertise that includes surveying, mapping, remote sensing and geographic information systems. An example of geomatics is the computerization of land management systems for purposes of environmental protection.

Korea has become a customer of Canadian nuclear technology with one Candu reactor in operation at Wolsong, another under construction and two more on order.

Korea is Canada’s fifth largest trading partner and second largest market in the Pacific Rim after Japan. Canada is the third most important destination for Korean foreign investment.

Japan is Canada’s largest trading partner after the United States. Trade volume has more than doubled since 1985 and the trade itself has become more diverse. In 1992, Canada’s exports to Japan amounted to more than $7 billion. During the mission, McKnight will address a seminar on investing in Canadian minerals. “Minerals are a major interest for the Japanese investment community which has several direct and indirect investments in Canadian mining operations,” he said.