Sealing Industry Promoted During Mission to China

The sealing industry continues to be an important industry, particularly in rural parts of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Provincial Government is continuing to show its support for this industry during the ongoing trade promotion and investment attraction mission to China.

“Our government recognizes the economic and cultural significance of the sealing industry in Newfoundland and Labrador and that is why we have invested $900,000 in advocacy and industry development since 2006,” said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, who is leading the mission to China. “We have continued to support efforts to gain greater access to international markets including China and I am pleased we have had the opportunity to discuss our sealing industry during our mission to China.”

The Premier and members of the Newfoundland and Labrador delegation met yesterday with Mr. Zhang Xinsheng, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, to discuss the ecological and sustainable use of seals on the east coast of Canada and to garner support for the implementation of the Canada-China Edible Seal Products Agreement which was announced in 2011 but has not yet been signed.

The Newfoundland and Labrador delegation is continuing to advance key provincial interests while profiling opportunities for Chinese investment within the province. In keeping with these goals, Premier Dunderdale today hosted representatives of major Chinese mining companies with recent investment in and partnerships with Newfoundland and Labrador companies. Chinese Government officials as well as representatives from the China Iron and Steel Association were also in attendance.

- 30 -

Media contacts:

2013 06 25             4:55 p.m.