Agriculture Minister David Marit is leading a nine day trade mission to South Asia and the Middle East starting Thursday.

Marit says his goal is to expand and strengthen trade ties in India, Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates.

He says Bangadesh and the U.A.E. are a half billion dollar market, buying canola, wheat and pulse crops.

Marit says Saskatchewan exports 43 percent of the world’s lentils, 32 percent of the world’s dry peas and 24 percent of canola seed.

He adds India is also an important market, with Saskatchewan exports averaging 855 million dollars over the past five years.

Marit will give a keynote address at a pulse crop conference in India.

The trade mission wraps up February 14th.