Saskatchewan innovation, products and expertise are being showcased to potential new European markets at the world's largest international farm machinery trade show.
Economy Minister Bill Boyd, along with a mission of Western Canadian agriculture equipment manufacturers, are at Agritechnica, which runs until November 16 in Hannover, Germany. The mission, led by Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP), has the potential to secure up to $75 million in sales agreements and more than 300 new export leads.
The initiative includes 24 Saskatchewan companies. In 2011, Agritechnica hosted 2,700 exhibitors and almost 415,000 visitors from 48 countries.
"Saskatchewan's dryland farming technology is recognized as among the very best in the world," Boyd comments. "Our presence at Agritechnica is a proven and natural opportunity to make new connections in the global marketplace and seek even more export destinations for our made-in-Saskatchewan products, reinforcing our provincial economy here at home."
The mission comes in the wake of the tentative deal signed in October between Canada and the European Union under the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement.
Boyd will also be meeting with mining and oil and gas interests to promote investment opportunities in Saskatchewan.
"As we work to continue to grow our province, we are interested in primary production investments, as well as supply chain development."
Following Agritechnica Boyd will speak at the Canada Europe Energy Summit taking place Tuesday, November 19 at Canada House in London, England. The Summit brings together leaders from the Canadian energy sector with major European investors and innovators to explore commercial opportunities in areas such as exploration, production, export and the utilization of advanced technologies with respect to the environment.
