Building Edmonton’s Global Economy
My recent trips to China and Japan
Over the past several months, I’ve had the opportunity to represent Edmonton on two important international visits, first to Harbin, China in January, and more recently to Japan and China in April as part of Edmonton Global’s trade mission.
These visits were rooted in a simple but important goal: building relationships that create opportunities for investment, trade, tourism and long-term economic growth for Edmonton.
In an increasingly connected world, cities must actively engage internationally, not only to strengthen cultural ties, but to attract investment, support job creation, and position our communities for future growth.
Celebrating 40 Years of Friendship: Edmonton and Harbin
In January, at the invitation of Mayor Wang Hesheng of Harbin, China, I travelled with Explore Edmonton to participate in the internationally renowned Global Mayor’s Dialogue and the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival. This trip was particularly significant as it marked the 40th anniversary of Edmonton’s Sister City relationship with Harbin - one of our city’s longest-standing international relationships.
Established in 1985, our two northern cities have built meaningful connections and grounded shared experiences from embracing winter to celebrating local heritage.
Did you know Edmonton’s iconic Chinatown Gate, a symbol of welcome and heritage, was built in 1987 through direct collaboration with Harbin? The gate is currently being revitalized, and I’m looking forward to the return of this symbol of our friendship with Harbin to 97 Avenue in 2027.
This milestone anniversary provided a unique opportunity to deepen economic engagement through tourism and investment attraction, as well as showcasing Edmonton as a world leader in innovation as it relates to winter economy.
During the Global Mayors’ Dialogue, I met with Mayors from around the world to discuss winter city planning, outdoor recreation, festivals, and tourism development.
And yes, we did talk about snow removal.
The visit for me really underscores Edmonton’s leadership in winter city innovation and commitment to expanding economic development and winter tourism ties.
As Mayor of Edmonton, and in my role as Vice President for North and South America with the World Winter Cities Association for Mayors, I had the opportunity to share Edmonton’s experience in winter city planning, outdoor recreation, festivals, and tourism development.
Along with Explore Edmonton, we were able to explore opportunities for tourism partnerships, cultural programming, and trade initiatives that support local economies.
These conversations reinforced something I’ve long believed: Edmonton has a strong story to tell internationally about innovation, livability, and the winter economy.
Advancing Investment and Trade in China and Japan
In April, I joined Edmonton Global’s trade mission to Japan and China, alongside City Manager Eddie Robar, to strengthen relationships with government leaders, investors, and industry partners.
As Western Canada’s industrial hub, the Edmonton region is uniquely positioned for industrial growth. With world-class research infrastructure, competitive affordability, and one of Canada’s youngest and most educated workforces, Edmonton has a strong foundation to attract growth in these sectors through the Industrial Investment Action Plan.
This trade mission focused on sectors where Edmonton, and our region, are uniquely positioned to lead:
Advanced manufacturing
Clean energy and hydrogen
Logistics and cargo development
Industrial innovation and supply chains
Research and technology partnerships
It also directly advances Council’s recently announced strategic priorities by focusing on economic development, growing Edmonton’s non-residential tax base, and proactively securing strategic investments. The mission aligned with efforts from other orders of government to advance economic partnerships and diversify trade relationships to enhance Canada’s economic stability, including improving trade with Japan and China.
International investment doesn’t happen overnight. It is built through sustained engagement, relationships, and by making these trips, we are signalling that Edmonton is serious about working collaboratively to grow our economy.
Strengthening Relationships in China
During the trip, our delegation visited Beijing, Tianjin, and Wuhan, meeting with government officials, business leaders, clean energy organizations, and advanced manufacturing stakeholders.
In Tianjin, one of Northern China’s major industrial and logistics centres, we explored opportunities tied to advanced manufacturing, cargo movement, clean technology, and industrial collaboration.
In Wuhan, discussions focused on research, innovation, and emerging opportunities connected to industrial development and carbon reduction initiatives.
These conversations were about more than individual projects. They were about building trust, understanding long-term economic trends, and positioning Edmonton as a reliable partner in a rapidly evolving global economy.
Building Connections with Japan
A major focus of the April mission was Japan, particularly Tokyo and Kumamoto.
Kumamoto is rapidly emerging as one of the world’s advanced manufacturing and semiconductor ecosystems, making it a natural fit for Edmonton.
However, our connection is not new. For more than 30 years, the University of Alberta and Kumamoto University have shared a deep academic partnership. Today, thanks in part to the work by the Edmonton International Airport, and regional partners, we are exploring how this longstanding relationship evolves into a broader partnership with industry, infrastructure and innovation.
Like Edmonton, Kumamoto is a centre for advanced industry, innovation, agriculture, and regional economic leadership. The alignment between Kumamoto’s growing semiconductor ecosystem and Edmonton’s capabilities is particularly exciting.
Edmonton’s leadership in low-carbon hydrogen, carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS), and industrial emissions reduction complements Japan’s clean energy ambitions. Opportunities exist for joint technology validation, supply-chain integration, and future partnerships.
Agriculture and food production are another important shared strength between our regions, both supporting local economies while serving broader domestic and international markets.
Next Steps.
Trade missions are not single events, they are chapters in longer stories, and Edmonton has been building relationships with our partners in China and Japan for a number of years, and this work will continue.
This past month we were pleased to welcome a company we visited with on the trade mission to Edmonton to further explore potential investment into the city and region. Their evaluation of potential sites, assets, and progressing discussion signal growing international interest in Edmonton as a competitive destination for global business. Edmonton Global will continue to work directly with this company.
We also welcomed a delegation from Kumamoto, Japan continuing conversations from our April meetings. During their visit to Edmonton, we spoke about our shared strengths in advanced industry, innovation, agriculture, and regional economic leadership.
We’re eager to continue learning from Kumamoto’s industrial ecosystem and identifying opportunities where our regions can grow together.
I’m excited about the potential to explore a more formal long-term relationship and collaboration between Edmonton and Kumamoto in trade, investment, tourism, education, culture, and innovation, and I am encouraged by recent cooperation between the Governments of Canada and Japan, particularly around energy exports, energy security, and defence collaboration.
Why This Matters for Edmonton
International engagement must deliver value back home.
That is why these visits are directly tied to Council’s priorities: growing Edmonton’s economy, expanding the non-residential tax base, attracting strategic investment, and creating good paying local jobs.
Attracting investment and spotlighting Edmonton on the international stage is crucial for job creation, stimulating the economy, integrating long-term infrastructure objectives, and ensuring alignment with our key economic priorities.
This work is especially timely as the Edmonton region recently celebrated the announcement of a major new cargo hub at Edmonton International Airport (YEG), a transformational investment that reinforces our region’s role as a gateway connecting Canadian businesses to global markets.
This matters not only for Edmonton, but for regional economies across Western Canada.
According to the Edmonton Business Census:
Nine per cent of businesses said they export goods outside of Canada.
The data suggests businesses that export also employ more people. On average, exporters have 32 employees per establishment while non-exporters have 18 employees.
Whether celebrating forty years of friendship with Harbin or building new relationships in Japan and China, these visits reinforce an important reality. Edmonton is not just participating in the global economy, we are helping shape it.
Strong cargo infrastructure strengthens supply chains, creates jobs, and improves economic resilience. For manufacturers, agricultural producers, technology firms, and industrial businesses, access to reliable global transportation networks is increasingly a competitive advantage and is part of a larger long-term strategy to position Edmonton as Canada’s premier inland gateway to Pacific and global markets.
Edmonton is exceptionally well positioned to do exactly that.
Our city has extraordinary strengths, and by continuing to build meaningful relationships, opening doors for investment, expanding trade opportunities, we can create generational opportunities for the people and business we serve.
Quick Facts - Harbin
While in China, accommodations, meals, and local transportation are covered by the City of Harbin.
Mayor Knack and one staff member will be flying economy and staying in budget friendly accommodations. The total cost for flights for the Mayor and one staff member is $4,818.94.
Quick Facts - Asia Trade Mission
Flight, accommodations, meals, and local transportation costs for the Mayor and one staff are covered by Edmonton Global.
Did You Know?
In 2025, Edmonton generated approximately $46 billion in manufacturing sales, ranking first in Canada per capita for manufacturing, and third overall. More than half of Alberta’s manufacturing output is concentrated in our region, and Edmonton also leads Canada for engineering talent per capita.
Edmonton is also Canada’s largest hydrogen hub, with more than $30 billion in hydrogen projects planned or underway by 2030.
These are not just local strengths, they are globally competitive advantages, that matter to investors, researchers and international partners looking for stable, innovative, and competitive regions to partner with.
Great post! I am glad to see that your trips to Asia were successful and productive. Seems like more of medium term and long term plans are in the works to bring in more manufacturing businesses here. I hope to see more success stories on economic and clean energy in Edmonton and aboard.
Great post. Sounds like some productive inroads were made. But, as you said - "International engagement must deliver value back home."
Agreed. Would love to see that translate into actual economic activity soon, too. Companies like BYD, Nio, Geely and CATL could have a massive market to tap into in North America, not just for vehicles, but for batteries and other products in the electrification supply chain. What are the chances that they pick Edmonton as a potential Western Canadian or even extended PNW manufacturing hub? We should be bringing in capital and investment, not just building loose connections.