Premier heads to Asia next week

By Joe Couture, The StarPhoenix

September 26, 2013

Premier Brad Wall's efforts to promote Saskatchewan abroad will continue next week as he visits the Philippines, Japan and Singapore.

"These missions, we've tried to focus on them, we've tried to increase our international engagement as a government. It's part of our growth plan," Wall told reporters at the Legislative Building on Wednesday after meeting with representatives of the province's Filipino community about the upcoming trip.

Wall leaves Sunday and returns Oct. 10. While in the Philippines, the premier will meet with Vice-President Jejomar C. Binay. During his meeting with Saskatchewan Filipino leaders, he displayed a bronze statue he will give to Binay on behalf of the people of Saskatchewan.

Wall will also meet with Philippine Labour Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz and sign a renewed agreement on labour migration. His visit is also timed to coincide with a labour recruitment mission organized by the province's economy ministry, which includes eight Saskatchewan companies offering 150 highly-skilled jobs.

"The last three years, there's been almost 10,000 Filipino newcomers to our province. That's 35 per cent of newcomers in the last three years, and so I think it's very important to go to Manila to develop the relationship," Wall told reporters, noting the memorandum of understanding will streamline the process for newcomers from the Philippines.

While in the region, Wall also will visit Tokyo and Hiroshima. Scheduled events include a ceremonial role in launching Canpotex's new potash cargo ship, MV Ultra Regina, a keynote address to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan, and meetings with companies - including Mitsubishi and Hitachi - that are considering or are already investing in Saskatchewan.

The Asia trip will conclude with Wall giving keynote remarks at the Canada - Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Business Forum in Singapore. After that, the premier will meet with the heads of Temasek Holdings and the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation, two of the world's largest sovereign wealth funds.

jcouture [at] thestarphoenix.com
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