The Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCI), in partnership with the Ontario Government, recently led a trade mission of 18 leading Canadian nuclear suppliers and industry partners to South Korea - one of the world's fastest growing nuclear markets and a nuclear partner of Canada for almost 40 years.

The trade mission delegation, including 10 CEO's of leading Ontario nuclear organizations, returned to Canada on May 2 after one week of meetings with various Korea nuclear companies and government agencies. An eye-catching Canadian/Ontario nuclear pavilion showcased the broad capabilities of the Canadian team at the 30th Annual Korea Atomic Power Conference in Seoul on April 28 and 29.

"This trade mission capitalized on the strong relationship that OCI formed with its counterpart Korean organization, Korea Atomic Industry Forum (KAIF), after signing an MOU of cooperation during the Pacific Basin Nuclear Conference in Vancouver in August of 2014" said OCI President Dr. Ron Oberth.

Ontario's Minister of Research and Innovation, Dr Reza Moridi, and Bob Delaney, Parliamentary Assistant to Minister of Energy Bob Chiarelli, played key roles on the trade mission by opening doors to South Korea government agencies and demonstrating their government's support for Ontario's nuclear supply chain at key events during the week-long trade mission.

"Having government and industry leaders on the same team with common goals of exporting Canada's nuclear technologies, developing partnerships with other nuclear power countries and creating jobs in the province sends a strong message to customers that Ontario is open for business" added Dr. Oberth.

Several important agreements were signed during the trade mission. Two companies signed deals worth several millions of dollars for supply of reactor components and control systems for the CANDU units at Wolsong. Other nuclear suppliers in the delegation established relationships with South Korean customers and partners that will lead to orders for equipment and service in South Korea as well as in other nuclear markets to which South Korean companies are exporting.

Bruce Power and Ontario Power Generation both announced signings of cooperation agreements (MOU's) with Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Company (KHNP) on the sharing best practises for nuclear plant operations, for refurbishment projects, and for maintaining positive relationships with host communities.

The CANDU Owners Group (COG), whose members are the owners of CANDU plants in seven countries, also concluded a multi-million dollar agreement for increased collaboration in research, development and implementation of projects to enhance nuclear safety and improve plant operation.

The trade mission concluded with a visit to the Korea Radioactive Waste Agency's (KORAD) Low and Intermediate Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility near Gyeongju city, that received an Operating License in December 2014, and a tour of the Wolsong Unit 3 CANDU reactor, one of the highest performing units in South Korea's nuclear fleet.

OCI's next major international nuclear trade mission will be to India in October to follow-up on the landmark visit to Canada by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the joint statement made by prime minister's Harper and Modi calling for increased cooperation between their countries on civilian nuclear power generation.

The Trade Mission to South Korea benefitted from funding support awarded to OCI by Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada's (DFATD)'s Global Commerce Support Program: "Global Opportunities for Associations" (GOA).