Building on the momentum of an agreement between the City of Qingdao in Shandong Province, China and the Province of British Columbia, Minister of International Trade Teresa Wat met with the vice-mayor of Qingdao in Richmond today.

Vice-mayor Liu Mingjun and other Qingdao municipal government officials were in B.C. to participate in a Qingdao Trade and Investment Promotion Seminar with local industry stakeholders. This meeting was an opportunity to strengthen B.C.’s new relationship with Qingdao and follow-up on topics discussed during Wat’s trade mission in November.

On Nov. 7, 2014, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on economic partnership was signed between B.C. and the Qingdao municipal government. The MOU is Qingdao’s first such agreement in Canada and focuses on supporting companies working in industries important to both B.C. and Qingdao, including ocean technology, agriculture, international education and clean technology.

The MOU also provides a framework for B.C.’s trade and investment offices in China to reach out to their colleagues in Qingdao to identify new business opportunities.

Quote:

Minister of International Trade Teresa Wat -

“This was an excellent opportunity to meet with the Qingdao municipal government to reinforce the commitments made in our economic partnership agreement. This was their first visit to B.C. since the agreement was signed, where they got a chance to see firsthand how we can work together in areas of mutual interest. We see Qingdao as a strong trade partner and we are excited by the opportunities this relationship will bring.”

Quick Facts:

• The World Bank named Qingdao among its “Gold Medal Cities” for investment, while Fortune magazine recognized it as one of “Top Five Cities for Business in China.”
• Qingdao is a marine transportation hub and has the seventh largest port in the world.
• Qingdao and Richmond have a Friendship City Agreement, which was signed in 2008.
• Tourism Richmond and Qingdao Tourism have a mutual assistance agreement, which was signed in 2011.

Learn More:

For more information about B.C. trade and investment opportunities visit: http://www.britishcolumbia.ca/

For photos from the trade mission, visit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bcgovphotos/sets/72157634051576760

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of International Trade
250 356-5613