A large delegation of Canadian business leaders have visited the region to boost maritime sector ties.

They were welcomed by Maritime UK Solent, Portsmouth City Council, Canada's Ocean Technology Council of Nova Scotia and Halifax Partnership.

Stu Baker, managing director of Maritime UK Solent, said: "Our collaborations with OCTNS and Halifax Partnership are a foundation for our strengthening collaborations with Canada."

The event brought together more than 70 businesses from the Solent and Canada.

A "sister city" economic partnership was established between Portsmouth and Halifax, Nova Scotia in 2023.

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David Hutchison and Leann Collins (Image: Maritime UK Solent) Mayor Andy Fillmore of Halifax said: "Halifax and Portsmouth are working to build a deep economic partnership between our two regions."

Leann Collins from the Association of British Columbia Marine Industries said: "There are a lot of very smart people in both areas working on solutions, so it's valuable for us to come here and explore potential opportunities to collaborate."

The visit, to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, marks a key milestone in the partnership.