Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is on a mission to deepen trade between Saskatchewan and Europe, having visited three European countries with a fourth to come. The premier signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Czech Deputy Prime Minister Karel Havlíček during a trade mission focused on nuclear, defence, and agricultural sectors.
European Trade Mission Highlights
Talking remotely from Paris on Monday, Moe recapped his week of international dealings, which started in Calgary at the Global Energy Show from June 9 to 11. After highlighting how Saskatchewan could strengthen global energy security at the expo, Moe and Havlíček signed the MOU.
Moe's government “found our way to the Czech Republic, to Prague, where we had met with a number of organizations (on topics) specific to electricity security, and even more specific to nuclear power, fuel source supply coming from Canada.” A lot of that supply comes from Saskatchewan, he added, and even more is anticipated once three additional mines complete construction.
The MOU is meant to deepen relations with the Czech Republic (also known as Czechia) for all trade, with particular focus on energy security in the nuclear sector. Saskatchewan’s nuclear technology, Moe said, is “of much interest to many Central European countries, as well as other European countries.”
Belgium and France Visits
From Czechia, the premier landed in Belgium and visited the Port of Antwerp, Europe’s second-largest port and “an impactful port for Canadian products today.” Moe cited potash from Nutrien and Canpotex arriving at the port, while Belgian agricultural equipment like New Holland combines leave for Western Canada. Moe also noted the Port of Antwerp as a natural link to Manitoba’s Port of Churchill, an important trade corridor for Western Canadian goods to reach European markets.
“There was actually a partnership that was signed between the Arctic Gateway Group and the Port of Antwerp just this past year, so we’re able to deepen our relationship on all products that we currently send through that port and discuss some of the opportunities that may come in the years ahead,” he said.
In France, Moe attended Eurosatory, the world’s largest international land and air defence show. He said Saskatchewan manufacturers with roots in mining, agriculture, oil and gas have taken to manufacturing defence platforms for countries worldwide. Thanks to trade talks in Europe and a “defence bank” being developed in Canada for multinational funding, there is “greater access for Saskatchewan companies to participate in defense manufacturing contracts, not just in our province or nation, but through partnerships with nations throughout the European Union.”
Next Stop: Poland
After France, Moe will head to Poland to engage in nuclear energy discussions with high-level officials, continuing the mission to strengthen trade and cooperation.
