News Release
Mayor Andrew Knack Joins Edmonton Global Trade Mission to Japan and China to Advance Investment and Partnerships in Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy, and Key Industries in Industrial Development
Edmonton – Mayor Andrew Knack, along with Eddie Robar, the City Manager, is participating in a trade mission coordinated by Edmonton Global leaving April fourth, to meet with key industry leaders and government officials in China and Japan.
As Western Canada’s industrial hub, the Edmonton region is prime for industrial investment. The City of Edmonton provides streamlined concierge support through the Industrial Growth Hub and Client Liaison Unit, world-class research infrastructure, competitive affordability, and one of Canada’s youngest and most educated workforces. The city is backed by a proven track record in construction and advanced manufacturing with a clear strategy to grow these sectors through the Industrial Investment Action Plan.
The trade mission aims to strengthen economic relationships, attract strategic foreign investments, and secure partnerships in advanced manufacturing, clean energy and will highlight Edmonton’s competitive advantages in industrial development and investment readiness.
Council Priorities
This trade mission 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. Attracting foreign investment and spotlighting Edmonton on the international stage is crucial for job creation, stimulating the economy, and integrating long-term infrastructure objectives with fiscal planning and ensuring alignment with key economic priorities.
“Strengthening Edmonton’s economy is one of Council’s top priorities over the next four years. To do this, we need to meet investors where they are,” said Mayor Knack. “This mission is about securing investments that will drive job creation and reinforce Edmonton’s industrial capacities as a global leader in advanced manufacturing, technology, and sustainable energy.”
This visit aligns 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.
Strategic Alignment With Edmonton
Japan (Tokyo, Kumamoto)
The Mayor’s trip to Japan will focus on strengthening relationships with government and industry leaders in Tokyo and Kumamoto. Engagements will spotlight Edmonton’s advantages in industrial development, energy‑transition technologies and investment readiness. The Edmonton delegation will explore collaboration with Japanese firms in supply chains, aviation, advanced manufacturing, and clean technology.
Early engagement with the Kumamoto ecosystem provides an opportunity to build relationships with firms and institutions shaping future global advanced manufacturing supply chains.
China (Tianjin, Wuhan)
The delegation will visit Tianjin, Northern China’s primary port, industrial base and innovation platform within the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (Jing‑Jin‑Ji) corridor and then travel to Wuhan. The Edmonton region’s role as a manufacturing, cargo, and logistics hub, alongside Tianjin’s national importance and Wuhan’s role as a gateway to China’s inland markets makes both cities strategic partners for trade and research and development collaboration.
“We’re grateful to Mayor Knack for participating in this mission and for the leadership he continues to bring to the Edmonton region’s global investment efforts. His involvement sends a strong signal that the City of Edmonton is aligned, engaged, and ready to partner on investments of global scale. These discussions are about more than a single project—they’re about long‑term relationships. The opportunities we’re discussing could represent up to $2 billion in capital investment, create 300 to 400 permanent jobs, and support more than 1,000 additional jobs across construction and related sectors, delivering meaningful and lasting economic impact for our region.”
— Daryn Edgar, CEO, Edmonton Global
“We’re building the global relationships that bring investment to Edmonton, open new air routes and grow our cargo capacity. Asia is the world’s fastest-growing trade corridor, and Edmonton is positioning itself as Canada’s premier gateway to those markets. The goal is straightforward: make Edmonton an indispensable hub for goods, people and ideas and ensure our city captures its share of Pacific trade for decades to come. Having Mayor Knack on this trade mission sends a clear signal to our Asian partners that Edmonton’s commitment to these relationships has high level government support.”
— Myron Keehn, President and CEO, Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
On behalf of the Canada China Friendship Society of Edmonton (CCFSE) and
Alberta Chinese Entrepreneurs Association (ACEA), we commend the Edmonton Mayor’s upcoming China visit—a pivotal step to deepen Canada-China relations and deliver tangible benefits to the city’s business community. For Edmonton, it serves as a catalyst for trade growth in core sectors and strengthens people-to-people and business-to-business bonds—the lifeblood of bilateral relations. It will drive economic diversification, create local jobs, and foster stable bilateral relations. We stand ready to support the Mayor Andrew Knack, leverage our network to connect businesses on both sides, and ensure these opportunities translate into lasting benefits for Edmonton and Canada-China cooperation.
— Yi Tian, Vice President of Canada China Friendship Society of Edmonton and Vice President of Alberta Chinese Entrepreneurs Association
Availability
The Mayor will be available for questions at noon at City Hall. Please contact the Mayor’s office communications team below for more information.
Mayors Office Media Contact:
Nicola Doherty
Director of Communications
Office of Mayor Andrew Knack
nicola.doherty@edmonton.ca
Edmonton Global Media contact
Sherri Sherri Bouslama
Director, Strategic Communications & Brand
Edmonton Global
sbouslama@edmontonglobal.ca
Edmonton International Airport Media Contact.
Erin Isfeld
Manager, Corporate Communications
Edmonton International Airport
eisfeld@flyeia.com
About Edmonton Global
Edmonton Global is the economic development organization for the Edmonton region and serves as the region’s connection point for global investment and trade. Edmonton Global operates as a connector, catalyst, and commercial engine for regional economic growth.
We work with investors, governments, and regional partners to position the Edmonton region as a competitive, credible, and easy place to invest, grow, and do business globally.
Quick Facts
This trade mission has been organized by Edmonton Global as part of their mission to advance collaboration on clean energy, carbon neutrality, food manufacturing, advanced manufacturing collaboration and warehousing and logistics projects.
Mayor Knack will be traveling from April 4th and returning to Edmonton on April 15th.
Advanced manufacturing in Edmonton region:
Advanced manufacturing spans energy equipment, steel, petrochemicals, medical devices, electronics, and semiconductors, positioning Edmonton as a multi-sector manufacturing platform.
The Edmonton Metropolitan Region generated approximately $46 billion in manufacturing sales in 2025, ranking 3rd in Canada for manufacturing sales and 1st per capita.
The city of Edmonton is a provincial manufacturing anchor with 55% of Alberta’s total manufacturing output concentrated in the Edmonton region.
Manufacturing sales in the Edmonton region increased by roughly 50% between 2020 and 2024, with a CAGR near 29%, driven by advanced manufacturing and clean industrial demand.
Clean energy in Edmonton region
The Edmonton region is Canada’s largest hydrogen hub and is recognized as one of the world’s lowest-cost producers of low-carbon hydrogen
Over $30 billion in hydrogen projects are planned or underway by 2030, anchored in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland near Edmonton.
Edmonton as Hydrogen Convention Capital: Canadian Hydrogen Convention, the country’s biggest hydrogen convention returns to Edmonton in April 2026, as Canada’s hydrogen ecosystem moves from planning into large-scale execution, with projects across Alberta’s Industrial Heartland progressing toward construction and operation.
Logistics
Flight, accommodations, meals, and local transportation costs for the Mayor and one staff are covered by Edmonton Global.
Itinerary*
*Subject to change.
Date
Activity
Notes
April 4/5
Leave Edmonton and arrive in Beijing.
April 6
Meeting with business leaders regarding agri-food sector
This is a public holiday in China.
April 7
Meetings in Beijing with the Government of Alberta and Embassy of Canada to China counterparts.
April 7
Afternoon Travel to Tianjin
Meetings with Tianjin Government
Tour Clean Energy Facility
April 8
Meetings with Tianjin Government,
Tour advanced manufacturing facility
Meet with cargo and logistics business organizations
April 9
Travel to Wuhan
Meetings with the Wuhan Government officials
April 10
Meetings with Wuhan City Mayor
Meetings with China Carbon Emission Exchange
April 11
Departure from Beijing to Tokyo
Arrive at Arrival at Haneda Airport, Tokyo
April 12
Delegate meetings and debriefs
April 13
Meeting with Japanese Government Officials
Sight tour of advanced manufacturing facility.
April 14
Meeting with Japanese Government Officials
Meeting with The Canadian Ambassador to Japan at the Canadian Embassy
April 15
Flight back to YEG
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