Sandoval leading state trade mission to Canada

By Las Vegas Sun Staff (contact)

Wednesday, April 16, 2014 | 11:22 a.m.

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval is leading a trade mission to Canada, in part to attract interest in the state’s nascent drone industry.

“Increasing Nevada’s trade opportunities is a critical component to our efforts to grow jobs and diversify our economy,” Sandoval said about the mission, which begins today and includes meetings in Ottawa and Toronto. “Canada is Nevada’s third largest trade partner, and there is tremendous opportunity to build upon our already strong relationship. I look forward to a productive trade mission.”

The delegation includes Sandoval, members of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, representatives from UNLV, UNR and the Desert Research Institute, along with business leaders from the state.

The economic development office is staging a conference for targeted Canadian companies to “highlight Nevada’s leadership” in the state’s burgeoning drone industry and to attract interested companies to Nevada’s FAA Unmanned Aerial Systems’ test sites.

The trade mission won’t be limited to a single industry, though.

“As a state, we see tremendous economic development potential in the areas of Unmanned Aerial Systems, water technology, and indoor agriculture and Canada can be a real partner for Nevada as we further develop these emerging industries in addition to the continued development of Nevada’s mining industry,” said Steve Hill, director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development.

The delegation’s itinerary includes meetings with the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada, members of the Canadian Parliament; Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne; Bruce Heyman, U.S. ambassador to Canada; and officials with Toronto-based Barrick Gold, Nevada’s largest mining company.