REGINA – The war and missile strikes that have broken out in the Middle East has meant some tense times for those working at Saskatchewan’s trade office in Dubai.
The United Arab Emirates has been targeted by retaliatory strikes from Iran, after that country was hit by strikes from the USA and Israel that took out its leadership. Iran has sent retaliatory strikes to several countries throughout the Middle East that have US bases.
Minister of Trade and Export Development Warren Kaeding updated reporters on the situation regarding the Dubai trade office on Thursday.
“We are talking to them almost on a daily basis,” Kaeding said.
He said their managing director “actually was at PDAC in Toronto, and we've encouraged him to stay home, just not go back right now. However, we also have ministry staff in the Dubai office there. They've been asked to work from home and not go to the office.”
Their managing director is from Canada, but the staff are locals in Dubai.
Kaeding said that in this situation they are relying on Global Affairs Canada.
“That's where our trade office is embedded in. Certainly, working with Global Affairs Canada on a daily basis, getting updates, understanding what the concerns and risks are in the area, but certainly having regular communications or regular updates for Global Affairs as to how they see things unfolding in that area.”
