Strengthening International Ties will Create Jobs and Opportunity in Ontario
Premier Kathleen Wynne will begin her third business mission to China on Friday in Beijing. Building on the success of her previous two missions to China, the Premier will showcase what Ontario has to offer as one of the best, most competitive places in the world to do business and invest.
The Premier will meet with business and political leaders in Beijing before travelling with Ontario business and academic delegates to Nanjing, Chongqing and Shenzhen. While in China, the Premier, joined by Michael Chan, Minister of International Trade, will focus on further bolstering Ontario’s strong trade and innovation partnerships and identifying new opportunities for collaboration.
After a stop in Hong Kong for business and political meetings, the Premier will travel with Ontario delegates to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in Vietnam to boost Ontario’s trade relationship with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. This will be the first official visit of an Ontario Premier to Vietnam, making this mission a key opportunity for Ontario to forge connections with business and government leaders and diversify Ontario’s trade and investment relationships — a major driver of Ontario’s Global Trade Strategy.
More than ever, international trade is a vital driver of Ontario’s economy. Business missions like this one help Ontario businesses stay competitive by connecting them with international markets and sharing knowledge across borders. Expanding Ontario’s global footprint creates new jobs and investments that help workers and businesses thrive.
Attracting international investment and helping businesses compete globally is part of Ontario’s plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change. The plan includes a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable child care, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25 through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation.
Quick Facts
- The Premier’s business mission to China and Vietnam is from November 24 to December 6. More than 100 Ontario delegates will accompany the Premier on the mission.
- International and interprovincial exports of goods and services represent more than 50 per cent of Ontario’s GDP.
- China is Ontario’s second-largest trading partner — two-way trade grew by nearly 40 per cent over the past five years, totalling $42 billion.
- The Premier’s international missions to date have secured more than 265 agreements valued at over $4.2 billion to Ontario’s economy, creating nearly 4,000 jobs in Ontario.
- Two-way trade between Ontario and Vietnam has nearly quadrupled since 2012, reaching over $3 billion in 2016.
- Follow the Premier’s mission to China and Vietnam on Twitter.
Background Information
Additional Resources
Quotes
“As Premier, I want to make sure Ontario businesses have every opportunity to remain competitive in a global, rapidly changing economy. Over the next two weeks, I look forward to working with Ontario delegates as they connect with international partners to help grow their business, create good jobs and seek new opportunities that benefit people across the province.”
“Our government is committed to helping Ontario businesses achieve meaningful growth through globalization. This business mission to China and Vietnam will provide Ontario’s businesses with an opportunity to build valuable partnerships that have the potential to support long-term economic growth and spur job creation across our province. Diversification in the international marketplace and the ability to expand globally are critical for Ontario’s continued success.”
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