“Canada is the fifth largest agricultural exporter in the world,” said Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and MP for Regina-Wascana. “Across our economy, the agri-food sector is driving growth and high-skilled employment. Our government strongly supports the sector and is proud to open the new International Trade Centre at Evraz Place, which will help showcase high-quality Canadian products to domestic and international audiences.”
On Nov. 6, Mark Allan, president and chief executive officer of Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL), toured several funding partners through the new C$37-million International Trade Centre at Evraz Place in Regina – which was funded in part by the government of Canada’s “Growing Forward 2” agreement.
The center will be the largest interconnected event complex in Canada, allowing the agricultural sector to showcase its world-class products to domestic and international audiences.
“The new facility will further enhance events that contribute to our provincial economy, including shows integral to Saskatchewan’s agricultural industry that highlight our high-quality livestock and innovative farm implements to an international audience,” said Lyle Stewart, Saskatchewan minister of Agriculture. “We are pleased to see the International Trade Centre open for business.”
The now-completed International Trade Centre at Evraz Place – which will open its doors to the world later this month – is hosting its first major agricultural event, Canadian Western Agribition, from Nov. 20-25, an event that attracts more than 120,000 visitors annually, including guests from 75 countries.
“We are truly grateful to all the funding partners, at all levels of government, who have made this facility a reality,” said Bruce Holmquist, president, Canadian Western Agribition. “Agribition is an international marketplace; an event that most producers can’t afford to miss. To have facilities that give those producers the tools to succeed means everything to us and to them.”
