Ministerial Statement – Trade Mission Builds Global Interest in Investment and New Development

  • Executive Council

November 14, 2018

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador:


Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honorable House to update Honourable Members on the recent Atlantic Growth Strategy trade mission to China. The mission brought together Premiers, Federal Ministers, and representation from the business community and post-secondary institutions from across the Atlantic provinces to attract investment and trade activity. I am pleased to note there was great interest from Chinese counterparts in the many opportunities for collaboration and engagement with Newfoundland and Labrador.

At the Canada China Business Council Forum I was able to discuss the many trade opportunities that exist between our province and the China market. This included everything from investment opportunities in our oil and gas and mining industries, to highlighting the products that we have to meet the needs of the rapidly expanding Chinese consumer market.

Having just launched our “Mining the Future 2030” plan to grow mining activity in the province, I was especially pleased to meet with the chairman and management team of one of the ‎largest steel manufacturers in China with interests in the mining industry in Labrador – HBIS Group, and advance discussions to help realize our goal to establish new mining activity and new employment here at home.

In addition, I had a meeting with the chairman and management team of China National Offshore Oil Corporation, the largest Chinese investor in Canada, to discuss current and future opportunities in offshore oil and gas – Advance 2030. I am also pleased to note that during the trip, Ocean Choice International announced they are now listing new products on Chinese e-commerce platforms.

Outside of efforts to grow large-scale natural resource development, smaller companies also benefited from the mission. For example, companies like Empowered Homes, a tech firm started by two young entrepreneurs from our province, pursued opportunities for their mobile app enabled, Wi-Fi compatible, line voltage thermostat. Other mission delegates pursued opportunities in the areas of technology, food and beverage, and education as well.

In total, Newfoundland and Labrador had more than a dozen companies and the College of the North Atlantic that participated in various parts of the program in China, and built upon our province’s great reputation as an ideal place for businesses to grow and invest and for students and institutions to partner in the area of higher education.

Mr. Speaker, both our government and the Federal Government agreed that building a strong relationship with China is vital to the continued growth of the Canadian economy. That is why we made this mission a priority under the Atlantic Growth Strategy, in the same way we have worked together through the strategy to improve immigration, workforce development, e-health, and many other initiatives.

Working together, we will continue to grow the economy in ways that benefit current and future generations of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Thank you Mister Speaker.

2018 11 14 2:15 pm