The work of the various agri-food industries – from producers, to support, to value-adding manufacturing – is a big part of opening an international trade office.

Warren Kaeding, Saskatchewan’s minister of trade and export development thanked the work that goes in at every step of the chain.

“They employee people, they’re the ones that keeps our community strong and ultimately if we have good solid trade, ever increasing trade, and we’re bringing these new dollars into our province, that is what is there, that is what’s required to province all the supports and services that our residents require.”

Kaeding highlighted a 19 per cent increase in agri-food exports in 2024 to the United Arab Emirates as proof that trade is increasing in Saskatchewan.

“What you’ll find is that the trade offices are responsible ultimately for lining up people, lining up companies, lining up entities, that have specific interest in what we are trying to sell as a province. And they do a great job of facilitating, maybe government to government meetings.”

Writer: Discover Estevan