Overview
The Alberta government strategically advances Alberta’s international interests and relationships to support exports to, and attract investment from, targeted international markets.
Key focus areas include:
- making sure Alberta’s interests are represented in Canada’s international trade agreements
- building and maintaining international partnerships that enhance collaboration, trade and investment
- identifying strategic growth opportunities for Alberta industries in global markets
- coordinating international trade and investment attraction missions to priority markets for Alberta companies
- managing incoming visits for foreign officials and industry partners
Efforts to advance Alberta’s international relations are managed in coordination with Alberta’s international offices.
View the relations factsheets for more information on Alberta’s relationships with countries and regions around the globe.
United States
The United States has long been Alberta’s most important bilateral trade partner. The US is by far the largest customer for Alberta’s exports and the source of two thirds of all foreign investment in the province.
Alberta is also the largest foreign supplier of energy products to the US Alberta's pipeline collection and distribution system plays a key role in delivering safe, secure energy products to major markets.
Alberta participates in a number of trans-boundary organizations:
- Pacific NorthWest Economic Region
- Canadian American Border Trade Alliance
Alberta also has formal partnership agreements with Montana and Alaska, cooperation agreements with Missouri, Nevada and Texas, and participates in US state government organizations:
- Western Governors’ Association
- Council of State Governments - National
- Council of State Governments - West
- Council of State Governments - Midwest
- Energy Council
Regional resources
Latin America and Caribbean
Improved economic performance, a number of new free trade agreements and negotiations between Canada and countries in the region have made Latin America and the Caribbean an area of expanding opportunity for Alberta.
Since the North American Free Trade Agreement was signed in 1994, Mexico has been one of Alberta’s fastest growing export markets and has become the province’s fourth largest trading partner.
The rest of Latin America offers expanding opportunities for Alberta businesses. Alberta companies are active in many countries in the Caribbean region such as Cuba and Trinidad and Tobago.
Priority target markets for trade and investment include:
- Mexico
- Argentina
- Colombia
- Brazil
Regional resources
- Canadian Embassy in Mexico
- Government of Jalisco
- Information on Mexican States
- Mexican Embassy - Ottawa
- Organization of American States
- Inter-American Development Bank
Middle East and Africa
Alberta is considered a key province in the economic relationship between Canada and countries in the Middle East and Africa, particularly in the energy and agricultural sectors.
Alberta has worked on governance projects in a number of countries including Tanzania and Malawi.
Priority target markets for trade and investment include:
- Kuwait
- the United Arab Emirates
- Oman
- South Africa
- Ghana
- Nigeria
- Egypt
- Israel
Regional resources
- Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries
- Canada UAE Business Council
- Canadian Business Council Abu Dhabi
- Canadian Council on Africa
- Canada Ghana Chamber of Commerce
- South African Department of Trade and Industry
- The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business
Asia Pacific
Alberta has strong trade and social ties with many countries in the Asia and Oceania regions, which, together, represent Alberta’s most diverse export market.
The Asia region includes key markets such as China, Japan, Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Combined, these markets make up Alberta’s second largest export market. Asia is also becoming a leading source of foreign direct investment in Alberta.
The Oceania region includes key markets such as Australia and New Zealand.
Countries in these regions are a source of a large portion of immigrants to Alberta and have strong economic and cultural relations with the province.
Priority target markets for trade and investment include:
- China
- Japan
- Korea
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
- Vietnam
- Australia
- Singapore
- India
- Kazakhstan
Regional resources
- Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
- Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation
- Association of Southeast Asian Nations
- Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Toronto
- Hong Kong Trade Development Council
- Japan External Trade Organization
- Korea Trade and Investment Promotion Agency
- Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vancouver
- Canada Eurasia Russia Business Association
- Kazakh Invest
Europe
Alberta has a rich European heritage, with over 80% of Albertans tracing their ancestry back to countries in Europe.
Alberta has developed many long-standing economic and cultural links to countries in Europe, which is Alberta's second largest source of foreign direct investment, and third most important regional export destination.
Priority target markets for trade and investment include:
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- France
- Italy
- Spain
- Netherlands
- Switzerland
- Nordics
- Belgium
- Poland
- Turkey
Advisory Council on Alberta-Ukraine Relations
With approximately 345,000 Albertans of Ukrainian descent, Alberta is home to the largest population of Ukrainian-Canadians in western Canada.
The Advisory Council on Alberta-Ukraine Relations (ACAUR) provides strategic advice and recommendations on ways to build relationships and enhance opportunities for cooperation with Ukraine and Alberta’s Ukrainian community by:
- serving as a 2-way information resource to Alberta’s Ukrainian community and the Alberta government on Alberta-Ukraine activities
- identifying and promoting opportunities to strengthen cooperation between the governments of Ukraine and Alberta
- helping other provinces, territories and the federal government better understand key issues related to Ukraine
For more information on the ACAUR, view the member biographies by searching the listing of current appointees or search for the council in the list of public agencies.
Regional resources
Relations factsheets
View the relations factsheets for more information on Alberta’s trade, investment and cultural relationships with a selection of countries and regions around the globe.
Not all factsheets are updated regularly.
Contact
Connect with regional contacts for more information on initiatives:
United States, Latin America and Caribbean
Tristan Sanregret, Executive Director, Americas
Jobs, Economy and Trade
Phone: 780-427-4605
Email: [email protected]
Middle East and Africa
Linda Hawk, Executive Director, Europe, Middle East, India and Africa
Jobs, Economy and Trade
Phone: 780-643-6775
Email: [email protected]
Asia Pacific
North Asia and Oceania
Nancy Wu, Executive Director, Asia Pacific branch
Jobs, Economy and Trade
Phone: 780-643-1660
Email: [email protected]
Central and South Asia
Linda Hawk, Executive Director, Europe, Middle East, India and Africa
Jobs, Economy and Trade
Phone: 780-643-6775
Email: [email protected]
Europe
Linda Hawk, Executive Director, Europe, Middle East, India and Africa
Jobs, Economy and Trade
Phone: 780-643-6775
Email: [email protected]
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