The Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers (MPSG) has been invited to participate in the AAFC Ministerial Mission to China from June 9-18, 2015 with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Minister Gerry Ritz and up to 60 other industry representatives from across Canada. Kyle Friesen, Chair of MPSG, is attending to support MPSG’s market development strategy, to promote Manitoba soybeans and pulse crops, and to represent Soy Canada.
MPSG sees the Mission to China as an incredible market development opportunity. It will give our organization a chance to meet with existing soybean and pulse crop buyers to thank them for their business, discuss future potential and solidify a working relationship; a chance to meet with new potential soybean and pulse crop buyers to tell them about our high quality commodities and open doors for new exports; a chance to discuss the results of our recent soybean processing feasibility study (made possible by funding from Canada and Manitoba governments, through Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative) and scout out potential investors; an opportunity to do some fact-finding on topics of interest, including the importance/effect of protein content of Canadian soybeans, potential trade blocks (ex. MRL’s, pesticide issues), value-added pulse processing opportunities in Manitoba, etc.; an opportunity to strengthen our relationship with Minister Ritz and the other 60 Canadian Mission participants; and an opportunity to meet and develop relationships with Chinese Soybean and Pulse Crop Associations.
Friesen will participate in the organized seminars, events, and meetings taking place in Shanghai, Chongqing and Beijing during the Mission. Of particular interest to him are the Soybean Roundtable Event in Shanghai and the Soy Canada Roundtable Meeting in Beijing. Both of these events aim to raise the profile and sales of Canadian soybeans, both GM and non-GM.
“These organized seminars, events and meetings will provide me with opportunities to meet with existing and potential new buyers and investors, and other association representatives,” emphasizes Friesen. “As well as have discussions with Minister Ritz and the other 60 Canadian Mission participants, and embark on fact-finding and relationship building.”
This project was made possible with funding from the Canada and Manitoba governments, through Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
Source : ManitobaPulse