Sask. agriculture minister heading to India, UAE on trade mission

As Premier Scott Moe heads to Washington and Mexico in an effort to counter tariffs threatened by United States President Donald Trump, Saskatchewan’s agriculture minister is off to India and the United Arab Emirates in an effort to advance trade relations with those two nations.

Daryl Harrison will be leading the trade mission from Tuesday until February 19, meeting with business groups, investors and attending conventions like the Pulse Conclave and the Gulfood Exhibition.

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“The United Arab Emirates and India are important export markets for Saskatchewan, especially in the pulse sector,” Harrison said in a statement. “We will continue to reinforce our longstanding commitment as a reliable and trustworthy supplier of high-quality agricultural products.”

Saskatchewan already has strong trade relationships with both nations. The provincial government said India and the UAE represent the Saskatchewan’s third- and ninth-largest agri-food export markets. Last year, 70 per cent of the UAE’s lentil imports and 54 per cent of its dried pea imports came from the province. Saskatchewan also made up 46 per cent of India’s lentil imports and 43 per cent of its dried pea imports.

“During the mission, Minister Harrison will promote the sustainability of Saskatchewan’s crop production while strengthening trade, research and investment ties with some of Saskatchewan’s long-standing partners,” the province noted in a statement. “Additionally, the mission will help companies and industry organizations within the province expand their relationships with stakeholders.”

The provincial government said its network of nine international trade offices – including those in India and the UAE – are “working to grow Saskatchewan’s exports, attract investment into the province and strengthen relationships with our partners in these markets.”