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By rdnewsNOW Staff

Ministers Brian Jean & Rajan Sawhney

Alberta ministers travel to South Korea to promote responsible energy initiatives

Feb 27, 2023 | 5:30 PM

Ministers Brian Jean and Rajan Sawhney are currently in South Korea with the goal of promoting economic opportunities in Alberta’s energy industry.

The provincial government says the mission to the Republic of Korea, commonly known as South Korea, began February 25 and continues until March 3. They say it will include meetings with engineering firms, industry representatives and government officials to discuss opportunities in Alberta’s growing hydrogen sector and the joint potential of responsible energy initiatives to power industry and reduce emissions.

“We are excited to continue to build on the strong ties between Alberta and South Korea and grow opportunities for further investment and innovation in our province. By strengthening our relationship with one of our best trading partners, we are showcasing Alberta’s commitment to be the world’s best choice for a responsible, sustainable and long-term energy supply while at the same time developing our economy and creating jobs for Albertans,” said Brian Jean, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Northern Development.

In 2022, officials confirm Alberta exported $1.5 billion worth of goods to South Korea and the country was the province’s fourth-largest export market last year. They say Alberta, maintaining an office in Seoul, shares a strong and mutually beneficial relationship with South Korea encompassing trade, investment and bilateral cooperation.

“As part of my mandate, I was tasked with exploring ways to expand Alberta’s trade pathways, increase international trade, grow Alberta’s capacity to trade internationally and make connections with other nations to increase immigration. With the new Indo-Pacific Strategy released by the federal government, Alberta has an amazing opportunity to be a leader within Canada when it comes to relations with Indo-Pacific nations such as South Korea,” said Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Trade, Immigration and Multiculturalism.

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The Alberta government says the meetings with South Korean government and business leaders will build on discussions from a previous mission in August 2022.

The ministers have been joined by two staff members as well as:

• Gerald Chipeur, honorary consul, Republic of Korea in Calgary
• Sunjong Chun, CEO, CKBC Inc.
• Darin Watson, COO, CKBC Inc.
• Malcolm Bruce, CEO, Edmonton Global

Officials state expenses for Chipeur, Chun, Watson and Bruce will be paid by their respective organizations while mission expenses will be posted on the travel and expense disclosure page.

The Alberta government says they are committed to working with their national and international partners to advance shared interests that can lead to new opportunities for people and businesses in the province and worldwide.

Itinerary for Ministers Jean and Sawhney:

• Feb. 25-26: Travel to Seoul
• Feb. 27:
  • Meetings with major Korean engineering firms
  • Meet with Korea’s Ministry of Science, Information and Communication Technology
• Feb. 28:
  • Meet with a Korean energy research institute and tour its research and development facilities
  • Tour Korean Hydro Nuclear Power Headquarters and Plant
• March 1: Presentations on Korea’s hydrogen plans and tour of hydrogen fuel cell refill station
• March 2: Meet with a major Korean industrial company and factory tour
• March 3: Meet with a major Korean industrial company and depart Seoul