By Sam Borsato - @BorsatoSam on Twitter

Members wanted to join a large delegation trip to Asia

Dec 13, 2016 | 3:12 PM

LETHBRIDGE – The City, County and Economic Development Lethbridge are extending an invitation to those interested in joining a delegation travelling to China and Japan in the new year.
 
Mayor Chris Spearman explained to media that one of the main focuses of the two week long trip is to promote economic development and support education. It’s also being used as a way to affirm relationships between Lethbridge and its Sister-Cities in Anyang City and Anyang County, Henan, China, as well as in Haebaru, Okinawa and Towada, Aomori, Japan.
 
He says the Lethbridge delegation will bring a much different tone than the relationship building trip Prime Minister Justin Trudeau went on earlier in the year, and another Government of Alberta trade mission centered around oil and gas development.
 
“If we want to build relationships, we maybe have to initiate it, and we have to say, ‘You’re welcome in Canada.’ It could be creating employment, creating new buyers for houses, it could be stimulating the whole industry here,” Spearman noted.
 
“Something we want to do is provide jobs, invite students to come from China and Japan, and we want to create opportunities for citizens and students in Lethbridge to go to China and Japan and understand what it’s like to be part of a world economy and get world-class education.”
 
In terms of economic development and partnership, Mayor Spearman added that the delegation will be trying to sell Chinese and Japanese stakeholders on Lethbridge’s food processing market, its drive for economic diversification and handling of comodities expected to turn out from the new curbside recycling program.
 
He’s already been in contact with both the Chinese and Japanese consuls to inform them of the trip, and has also requested letters of support and introduction from the Prime Minister, Premier Rachel Notley, Alberta’s Economic Development Minister and the Federal Minister of International Trade. Mayor Spearman says the larger the delegation is, the more the consuls will be impressed and is encouraging all of those interested in the purpose of the trip to consider the opportunity.
 
The Lethbridge delegation is expected to leave on February 12, returning on February 26. A public session on Thursday (Dec. 15), from 4:45 to 5:30-pm in the Culver Room at City Hall, will run down the detailed information.