Minister touts Alberta energy on Middle East trade mission

Economic Development and Trade Minister Deron Bilous is in the Middle East this week on a trade mission.

Bilous is heading to Abu Dhabi and Dubai to tout the province as a responsible energy producer and innovation hub for the oil and gas sector.

He’ll also visit the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference — the region’s largest oil and gas expo — with 15 Alberta companies.

Bilous will also meet with local industry and government officials.

The trade mission builds on Agriculture Minister Oneil Carlier’s February U.A.E. visit. The country is Canada’s primary export market in the Middle East, with $245.3 million in annual exports.

The estimated cost for the mission for the minister, one political staffer and one public servant is $30,500.

COLLECTING AUTOGRAPHS

Alberta Party communications chair Robbie Kreger-Smith was so excited about Bill 24 being passed this week, he had a copy of the legislation signed by all MLAs who voted for it. Calgary-Elbow Alberta Party MLA Greg Clark and party press secretary Natasha Soles gathered the signatures.

“I can’t even articulate what this gesture means to me,” he said on Facebook. “A piece of Alberta history that I’ll cherish forever.”