Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is set to embark on a week-long mission to Japan and South Korea, aiming to enhance the province’s energy, agriculture, and various other market sectors in Asia. Scheduled to depart on Friday, this initiative seeks to position Alberta as a key partner for these Asian markets.
During her visit to Japan, Smith plans to engage with government representatives, as well as leaders from the import, energy, and agricultural sectors. The focus will be on promoting Alberta as a preferred partner to address Japan’s increasing needs in energy and food security.
Following her engagements in Japan, Smith will travel to Gangwon State, South Korea, which maintains a sister province relationship with Alberta. This visit underscores the significant investments Korean companies have made in the province, with numerous firms establishing their Canadian headquarters in Calgary.
In 2024, Japan emerged as Alberta’s third-largest export market, with exports amounting to nearly $2.7 billion. Notably, energy exports constituted almost $1 billion of this total. Meanwhile, bilateral trade between Alberta and South Korea reached approximately $1.5 billion in the same year. The region’s total exports from Alberta in 2024 were valued at $1.2 billion, primarily comprising energy, nickel, meat, and wood pulp.
