Premier Brad Wall left March 8 for a trade mission to India and Bangladesh. With the help of the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP), Premier Wall's primary mission is to protect existing jobs and create more through increasing exports to these two countries. The mission includes 41 companies, three post-secondary institutions and five associations.
"The livelihoods of 18,000 Saskatchewan farm families are directly dependant on these markets," Wall said. "The purpose of this mission is simple: We're going to say thanks for your business, and work to find new opportunities."
Saskatchewan's exports to India accounted for more than 40 per cent of Canada's total exports to that country ($2.1 billion in 2009). Bangladesh is Saskatchewan's second largest pulse export market. Saskatchewan's exports to this country have grown at a rate of 90 per cent per year, over the last five years.
The visit is also an opportunity to encourage India to finalize arrangements that will allow our province to be a supplier of high-quality uranium, a fuel that can play a major role in meeting India's emerging energy needs.
Premier Wall also said there is some work to be done in the area of trade liberalization.
"In 2009, Saskatchewan's potash, lentil and pea exporters paid about $85 million in duties on these three products, which works out to about nine per cent of the value of these exports," Wall said. "That's too high, and represents lost revenue for our producers. We will be encouraging freer trade."
"I made a promise that our government would expand our horizons and look around the globe to find new markets for Saskatchewan products," Wall said. "I will be doing what ever I can to use the good offices of the Premier of Saskatchewan to enhance the outcome of this important trade mission."
The Indian mission will also have an important investment attraction component as well. Many Indian corporations rank among the largest in the world. They are actively seeking partnerships in the development of oil, gas, uranium, potash and rare earth minerals - things Saskatchewan has in abundance.
