Southern Alberta delegates on trade junket to Australia

By Medicine Hat News on February 14, 2025.

Economic developers from southwest Alberta are on a trade mission to Australia centring on agri-food trade with southeast Asia, according to “SouthGrow Regional initiative” that centres on the western side of the Highway 3 economic corridor.

Global Affairs Canada reported Thursday that International Trade Minister Mary Ng will lead the 220-person delegation, representing 140 Canadian organizations, for meetings beginning Monday in Sydney.

The Australia-Canada Economic Leadership Forum will focus on Agri-food, clean technology, mining and communications services. Canadian business groups will also continue on to tour several other cities.

“It is more important than ever for Canada to continue to diversify trade and grow opportunities for our businesses in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond to create good middle-class jobs for Canadians,” said NG in a release.

Officials from Southgrow, the towns of Coaldale and Coalhurst, Economic Development Lethbridge and the County of Lethbridge are taking part.

According to the federal ministry, the Indo-Pacific region is Canada’s second-largest export market in 2023, with two-way merchandise trade valued at C$257 billion.

The same year bilateral trade with Australia totalled $6.4 billion and direct investment into Australia amounted to $58.3 billion in 2023.

New chair in Special Areas

The Special Areas board has a new chairman – its municipal services director.

Alberta orders in cabinet published Thursday state that Shaune Kovitch has been appointed to the board that administrates the region in eastern Alberta north of Medicine Hat.

He was also named chair – a position that equates to chief administrative officer – for a term that would expire in March 2028.

Kovitch replaces former chair Jordon Christianson.

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