Saskatchewan continues its global expansion with the opening of its 9th commercial office in Berlin

The Saskatchewan government’s international presence continues to grow as it plans to open a trade office in Berlin, Germany in the near future.

The trade office, the ninth for the country worldwide, fulfills a point of the 2022 throne speech of the state government, which deals with the intention to set up an office in Germany. A council resolution was signed last month, officially founding the Berlin trade office.

“As Germany is a manufacturing base and has the fourth largest economy in the world, the establishment of this office will provide increased support to exporters and investors to further seize business opportunities and increase trade,” said a provincial government spokesman.

“Germany is an important member of the European Union, hosting many of Europe’s most important trade shows and exhibitions such as AgriTechnica, a signature sales-focused event for Saskatchewan’s agricultural manufacturing sector.”

The government statement said the war in Ukraine has highlighted the need for “safe and stable food and energy products, particularly in the European Union.”

Last March Prime Minister Scott Moe traveled to Germany to speak on food security and energy. His journey ended in Kassel, Germany, where he visited Ukrainian refugees.

A few weeks later, MLA Terry Dennis (Canora-Pelly), who also serves as Legislative Secretary for Saskatchewan-Ukraine relations, traveled to Berlin with a delegation.

The Saskatchewan government has rapidly expanded its international trade offices in recent years. In 2010, the first branch was opened in Shanghai, China.

In 2021-22 the government opened offices in:

• Singapore.

• New Delhi, India.

• Tokyo, Japan.

• Mexico City, Mexico.

• Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

• London, United Kingdom

• Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

The 2022-23 budget for the eight offices and the establishment of the Berlin office is US$12.4 million.

The government said its offices played a role in signing memorandums of understanding and letters of intent with government agencies in India and the United Arab Emirates and securing deals for Saskatchewan companies.

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Moe currently in India

Premier Scott Moe is on a trade mission to India this week to “promote close ties between the two jurisdictions” in areas including critical mineral and natural resource development, agriculture and post-secondary education.

On Monday, Moe tweeted, “Together with Canadian Consul General in Mumbai Diedrah Kelly and her staff, we had a good conversation with many Indian investors with interests in Saskatchewan.”

The government opened its trade office in New Delhi in 2021.

“Saskatchewan has worked with India for many years and I am proud of the relationships we have forged during that time,” Moe said in a statement.

“I look forward to sharing Saskatchewan’s innovative solutions with India and focusing on the trade and investment opportunities that exist now and in the future.”

Last year, Saskatchewan sent $1.4 billion in exports to India. Saskatchewan lentils make up 50 percent of these legumes imported to India.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic and Canpotex are also part of the delegation in India.

Agriculture Minister David Marit has just returned from a nine day trip to Dubai and Mumbai, India.

When asked about Moe’s trip to India, opposition NDP economic critic Aleana Young was critical of the government’s economic record.

“Since Scott Moe took office, Saskatchewan has been last in Canada in terms of job growth. Full-time jobs, part-time jobs — however you look at it — Scott Moe is shrinking our economy,” Young said in a statement.

“We desperately need to sell our story to the world, but hardworking families in Saskatchewan deserve results for all these Sask.” to see party trips.”

She spent nearly $360,000 on out-of-province travel from January 1 to September 30, 2022, according to the latest figures released by the provincial government. The government accounts for travel expenses for ministers twice a year.

International travel accounted for more than half of total travel for 2022:

• Premier Moe – Dubai ($65,006).

• Premier Moe – London and Frankfurt ($60,836).

• Minimum. Jeremy Harrison – New Delhi ($31,059).

• Minimum. Harrison – Dubai and Abu Dhabi ($28,571).

Expenses for trips to the Philippines, Vietnam, France and Germany in the fall and winter of 2022 were not booked.

The last year of regular ministerial trips outside the province was 2019, when the government spent more than $460,000.