Out-Of-Province Ministerial Travel
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Out-of-Province Ministerial Travel (including expenses of participants and general expenses associated with travel) Ministry Executive Council/Trade and Export Development Title of Travel Meeting with Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh Location Toronto, ON Date(s) June 10 - 12, 2018 Honourable Gordon Wyant, Q.C., Deputy Premier Honourable Jeremy Harrison, Minister of Trade and Export Development Richard Davis, Chief of Staff to the Minister of Trade and Export Participants Development Renata Bereziuk, Executive Director, International Relations, Ministry of Trade and Export Development Meeting with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to advance Purpose of Saskatchewan’s (SK) relationship as it relates to increasing trade, Travel investment, international students and collaboration in the areas of education and innovation. Total Travel Expenditures for Participants Air Travel (including airfare and airport service fees) $3,926.84 Ground Travel (including taxis and parking) $269.55 Accommodation (including room charges, incidentals, related taxes and $2,151.28 fees) Meals (personal per diem meal claims) $385.00 Miscellaneous (including temporary cell phone upgrades, fax and internet charges, and other sundry expenditures) Subtotal $6,732.67 General Travel Expenditures Business Hosting Expenses (luncheon and/or dinner meetings hosted by the Government of Saskatchewan, including food, beverages, catering staff, $0.00 service charges, equipment, and entertainment) Miscellaneous (Including meeting rooms, police security, publications, $0.00 shipping charges, gifts) Subtotal $0.00 TOTAL $6,732.67 Overview of Travel and Objectives Deputy Premier Wyant and Minister Harrison travelled to Toronto to meet with Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh. The meeting was arranged by the High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Canada. The meeting was a unique opportunity to reinforce the importance that SK places on its relationship with Bangladesh, promote SK exports and highlight opportunities for further collaboration in the areas of investment, education and innovation. Objectives of the meetings included: Highlighting the linkages and relationship between SK and Bangladesh; Profile the role SK plays in supporting Bangladesh in its pursuit of food security and thanking them for being a significant buyer of SK agri-food products and potash; Promote SK products and exporters to Bangladeshi stakeholders. Bangladesh is one of SK’s top 10 export markets and, with economic growth between 6-7% (and an expanding middle class), an opportunity exists to further increase SK exports; Express SK’s desire to expand and strengthen its relationship with Bangladesh in the areas of investment, education and innovation; and, Lead a roundtable between SK companies and economic development organizations and Bangladeshi stakeholders. Travel Activity: During the mission, Deputy Premier Wyant and Minister Harrison met with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and 13 other members of her delegation (consisting of members of her cabinet and other government officials). Senior officials present included: o His Excellency Ali, Member of Parliament, Honourable Foreign Minister of Bangladesh; o Mr. Rahman, Principal Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office, Dhaka; o His Excellency Mizanur Rahman, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Canada; o Mr. Islam, Executive Chairman, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority; o Mr. Ahamed, Bangladesh Consul General to Toronto; and, o Mr. Kabir, Counsellor, Bangladesh High Commission, Ottawa. Eight SK companies, economic development and community organizations and a SK post- secondary institution also attended the meeting and engaged in the industry roundtable. Participants included: o Mr. Noor Faridi, President, Superior Pulses; o Mr. John Hopkins, CEO, Regina Chamber of Commerce; 2 o Ms. Darla Lindbjerg, President and CEO, Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce; o Mr. Kamanashis Deb, President, Bangladeshi Community Association of Saskatchewan; o Mr. Marlin Stangeland, Senior Director, Westcap; o Mr. Rob Norris, Bangladesh’s Honorary Consul to Saskatchewan and Senior Strategist, University of Saskatchewan; o Mr. Faisal Usmani, Director, Superior Pulses; o Mr. Brad Grabham, Director of Trading, BroadGrain Commodities Inc.; and, o Ms. Natashia Stinka, Manager, Government and Public Relations, Canpotex 3 .