Interest in Agri-Food Innovation Leads to MOU Between Ag-West Bio, and World Trade Centers in Saskatoon and Harbin, China
May 16 2018 - 3:06PM
Business Wire
Mutual interest in the development of agricultural innovation,
including food research and commercialization, has led to the
signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the World
Trade Center Saskatoon, the World Trade Center Harbin, China, and
Ag-West Bio.
Harbin, the capital and largest city of Heilongjiang province in
China, is the eighth most populous Chinese city. It serves as a key
political, economic, scientific, cultural and communications hub in
Northeast China, as well as an important industrial base of the
nation. The area is surrounded by rich agricultural land and is an
ideal location for agricultural business.
HongShan Zhang, President of the World Trade Center Harbin,
remarked, “We are excited about this collaboration. Ag-West Bio is
a strong partner in agri-food innovation and a member of the
Protein Industries Canada Supercluster. We recognize the strategic
importance of Saskatchewan on the agricultural map, with deep
knowledge and expertise in crop development and agri-food
processing capabilities.”
The new World Trade Center in Saskatoon is part of a network of
more than 320 World Trade Centers in almost 100 countries around
the world. All are devoted to stimulating trade and investment
opportunities for internationally focused business and
organizations looking to connect globally and prosper locally.
John Williams, President of the World Trade Center Saskatoon,
says the goal of this MOU is to enhance and strengthen agri-food
innovation activities to benefit both jurisdictions. “The World
Trade Center is the gateway to the world marketplace. We are
excited to set out on this partnership, which will give us a
framework to share expertise and information, and to grow the
agri-food industries in both areas. We feel it will be positive for
all three organizations.”
This agreement would support the establishment of cooperative
research and development projects, foster business to business
connections in agri-food research, development and
commercialization, and catalyze relationships with other World
Trade Centers, local governments and industries. Activities could
include plant genetics and breeding, sustainable crop production,
digital technologies, food/feed processing technologies and
ingredient and product development, including food, feed and
industrial bioproducts.
Ag-West Bio is Saskatchewan’s bioscience industry association.
The organization creates connections within and outside the
province to catalyze initiatives and support the growth of
bio-based business in the province.
Wilf Keller, president and CEO of Ag-West Bio sees this MOU as a
positive step in building a friendly working relationship with
China, an important trading partner for Canada. “We look forward to
working with our new partners to pursue research and
commercialization endeavors that might not be possible without this
kind of connection.”
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180516006343/en/
Ag-West Bio Inc.Jackie
Robinjackie.robin@agwest.sk.ca306-668-2656orWorld Trade Center
SaskatoonDon AtchisonDon.atchison@canwestclc.com306-651-7700orWorld
Trade Center HarbinSui Jin Konsuijin-kon@wtcharbin.com+86 21 688
28258