Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade will lead an Ontario trade mission to South Korea and Japan from October 12-24, according to an announcement today by Premier Doug Ford at the 102nd International Plowing Match and Rural Expo in Verner.
Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, will also be part of the mission and will work to connect Ontario farmers and food processors with key importers and buyers in South Korea and Japan. He will also meet with government representatives and grocery chains to promote the high quality of Ontario products, including pork, beef, and soybeans.
Fedeli will promote Ontario as an attractive destination to do business and invest, with a focus on automotive, aerospace and other key emerging sectors. He will be working to identify valuable, mutually beneficial opportunities in areas where our interests align to strengthen our economy and create good jobs in the province, says a government news release.
"Made in Ontario means a high standard of quality that is second to none," said Fedeli. "By leveraging the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, we are providing Ontario businesses with access to some of the fastest-growing markets in the world that will drive economic prosperity and create good jobs here at home."
"This trade mission is a great opportunity to promote Ontario as a top destination for business," said Premier Ford. "We're sending a strong message that we're open for business and open for jobs, and our farmers are ready to compete on the international market with their world-class products."
Ontario’s hog industry value chain, including farm, processing, and retail, created approximately 55,000 direct jobs and $3 billion in direct GDP in 2018.
In 2018, two-way trade between Ontario and Japan was valued at over C$13.5 billion dollars, making it Ontario’s 8th largest export partner in the world with over 200 Japanese companies currently operating in Ontario.
In 2018, two-way trade between Ontario and South Korea generated over C$7.2 billion dollars with about 30 South Korean companies currently operating in Ontario.
