Asia – Africa

The Asia and African team within STEP is the only geographical division within STEP  which assists STEP members and other Saskatchewan companies to develop trade and export opportunities to the Asian and African markets.

The region encompasses the FSU( Former Soviet Union), as well as  Asian and , African countries, but excluding  Japan, South Korea, and Australasia. The major concentration is with the following countries and regions: China, Mongolia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Middle East, North Africa, and Southern  Africa etc.

Asia and Africa’s Trade -  exports and imports are difficult to generalize, as many countries in these regions have very different and separate trade agendas, and these vary on economic development levels. However, China, India, and Russia are leading the world economic development speed and are rapidly transforming into World Economic Powers. They have an accelerated  pace of trade and investment.

According to  Statistics Canada, in the past ten years, China and India are among the top ten export countries for Canada.

STEP and Saskatchewan have been active in these regions for many years. In 2009, China, India, Indonesia, and Bangladesh are among the top ten export Markets for the province (China 2, India 3, Indonesia 6, and Bangladesh 8).

The main and traditional areas of activity for Saskatchewan are in  agricultural commodities, livestock genetics, plant genetics, animal feed, mining and minerals.  Also, opportunities abound in the education and immigration sector, health sector, environment sector, information and communication technology sector and others.

Taking Saskatchewan’s Best to the World

STEP works with its partners to promote and market members and other Saskatchewan companies’ products, services and technologies.

Mr. Yi Zeng, Trade Specialist, born and raised in China, has extensive network in China and is fluent in Mandarin.
Every year, the team conducts 5-8 international market development missions, attracting incoming buyers and journalists to the province, working with our international network of contacts to provide qualified trade leads, providing educational sessions on market opportunities, and offering market intelligence, advice & guidance to exporters, both new and experienced.

STEP’s Asia and Africa team promotes its members, Saskatchewan’s export capabilities, and delivers market intelligence to exporters, international buyers & contacts. By incorporating the use of digital marketing and social media tools like Twitter and this blog, virtual trade missions, webinars, and the STEP web site, taking Saskatchewan’s best to the world has never been easier or more accessible, wherever in the world you are located.

Come and explore what STEP and STEP  members have to offer by visiting our members directory.