News Release

FREDERICTON (CNB) - A business delegation of the Council of the Federation, in conjunction with the Canada China Business Council (CCBC), will travel to China on Nov. 2-7. Premier Shawn Graham will lead the delegation, which will include premiers Jean Charest (Quebec), Dalton McGuinty (Ontario), Gary Doer (Manitoba), and Robert Ghiz (Prince Edward Island).

The premiers and accompanying business delegations will travel to Beijing, Chongqing and Shanghai.

"I am pleased to join four of my colleagues on this trade mission," said Graham. "It will be an opportunity for our New Brunswick companies to build upon existing business relationships with Chinese counterparts, to open new doors, form new partnerships, and create new opportunities for export in the Chinese marketplace."

The New Brunswick business delegation will be comprised of companies from the manufacturing, green technology, transportation, IT, educational, agri-food, and energy sectors. More than 10 companies will participate.

"As we move our province toward its goal of self-sufficiency by 2026, our exporters must continue to explore new markets and form new partnerships so that our companies can be more competitive and experience even greater success," said Graham. "China is a growing trade partner, and we must make the most of these opportunities to build key relationships, expand business ties, and spread the word that there are great things happening in New Brunswick."

Following the mission, Graham will return to Beijing where he will participate in educational and fisheries meetings. He will continue to Japan for an additional day of private meetings.

The governments of New Brunswick and China have developed a strong relationship in the educational sector over the past 11 years. Currently, four schools in China offer a New Brunswick curriculum, and about 150 Chinese students spend a semester each year in New Brunswick schools. Additionally, 40 students and nine teachers attend a special summer camp in Beijing each summer to learn Chinese language and culture. New Brunswick is also home to one of 225 Confucius Institutes which provide Chinese language and cultural training.

In 2007, more than $48 million in exports were shipped from New Brunswick to China, an increase of more than $12 million from 2006. New Brunswick exported nearly $30 million of forest products, $13-million of zinc, and $3 million of seafood products.