Former Tory leadership candidate Gary Mar has been named Alberta's representative in Asia.

Mar, who came in second to Alison Redford in the recent leadership race, will earn $264,576 a year.

Mar was Alberta's representative in Washington until he stepped down earlier this year to run for the Tory leadership. He was also a cabinet minister under former Premier Ralph Klein.

Mar will start his job at the Alberta office in Hong Kong once his visa approvals go through.