In the 2021-22 provincial budget, the Saskatchewan government announced plans to open four more trade and investment offices in various countries. The offices would complement the four already open in Japan, India, Singapore and China. 

Last week, the locations of the four new offices were announced by the government. They will be located in London, United Kingdom; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Mexico City, Mexico; and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The locations are considered to be priority markets for the province and are intended to provide a stronger regional presence.  

"Saskatchewan is an exporting province, and it will be even more important to diversify and grow our export markets coming out of the global COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring a strong economic recovery here at home in the months and years ahead," Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said.  "These new trade and investment offices will expand our international network and enhance opportunities to increase the value of our exports by 50 percent, as well as increase the number of international markets to which Saskatchewan exports more than $1 billion, in support of our ambitious Growth Plan goals." 

The office in the United Kingdom will look for opportunities for investment within the UK and Europe, taking advantage of the transitional bi-lateral trade agreement with the UK. The office in the United Arab Emirates puts a presence into one of the major destinations of agricultural exports from Saskatchewan. It is also hoped the office there will improve access to key markets like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.  

With Mexico already a well-established market for Saskatchewan exports, it is hoped the Mexico City location will help enhance collaboration, partnership and joint research. The Mexico office is also intended to help with regional access in Latin American markets. The Ho Chi Minh office is aimed to help develop potential markets for grains, oilseeds and feed, as Vietnam is already a mature market for canola and wheat.