Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jun 26/98) - A major Chinese businessman will visit Yellowknife next month as part of a plan to develop a mink farm joint venture.

Han Shoude, president of the China Heilongjiang International Project and Technical Co-operation Group, will also set up an office in Yellowknife for investigating other possible joint ventures, the NWT Chamber of Commerce said.

The development comes after a delegation of Northerners completed an eight-day trip to China aimed at promoting business ties.

"They are looking at coming here in July to (further) discuss how this will work. They're interested in mink," NWT Chamber J. Andrew Nelson said.

Chinese representatives may also visit Yellowknife during the Prospects North trade fair later this year.

"We have to see what we can offer and what their requirements are," Nelson said.

On the trade mission, the chamber worked with the NWT Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development on promoting Northern goods and services to the business communities of Harbin and Beijing.

Delegates touted the North's natural resources industry, as well as construction, engineering and power generation sectors.

Municipal and Community Affairs Minister Manitok Thompson signed a letter of understanding with the China Heilongjiang group.

The letter promotes co-operation between the NWT and the group in developing business opportunities.

Thompson was able to create an interest in the Eastern Arctic fur and fish industries.