B.C.’s international representatives coming to Fort Nelson

FORT ST. JOHN – British Columbia’s International Trade and Investment Representatives will be visiting Fort St. John and Fort Nelson to continue their tour of communities and regions across the province. The seven-day autumn Roadshow will see the eight international representatives travel to Peace River North. While there, the representatives will meet with local companies to build partnerships and relationships with B.C. businesses in key sectors, including natural gas and energy.
The Roadshow will include the eight heads of British Columbia’s Trade and Investment Representative Offices from Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Bangalore, San Francisco, and London. It includes dialogues with businesses, municipalities, and First Nations groups about international opportunities and government services they can access to make the most of this province’s natural advantages as outlined in Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan.
Government trade and investment services include the B.C. Business Network, a directory of suppliers and exporters, and the newly launched Opportunities BC website, a searchable online database that serves as the official portal for international investors to explore opportunities in our communities. Opening and expanding international markets for the province’s goods and services is one of the pillars of the BC Jobs Plan, and the Government has committed to doubling its overseas presence by March of 2013 in order to accelerate trade and direct foreign investment by marketing the province’s competitive advantages and world-class business environment.
“Having the International Trade and Investment Representatives here provides a wonderful chance for local businesses to learn about expanding into international markets, creating more jobs for local communities and families,” said Peace River North MLA Pat Pimm.
The International Trade and Investment Representatives make local introductions to potential buyers, investors, and other in-market partners.
They help companies identify opportunities and offer assistance in making the right investment decisions.
For example, the province’s Trade and Investment Representative in Shanghai, John MacDonald, has just completed an investment roadshow across East China, holding well-attended events in Ningbo, Nanjing, and Shanghai.
This is the fourth Roadshow and completes a cross-province tour including stops in the Kootenays, the Northeast, and Northern Vancouver Island.
On October 25th, the Reps will visit the Northeast, with stops in Fort St. John and Fort Nelson and a focus on natural gas and energy; the Reps visited Kitimat, the site of the province’s first liquefied natural gas terminal, during the summer Roadshow in June of this year. On Northern Vancouver Island, the Reps will travel to Nanaimo, Quadra Island, and then Campbell River to meet with the Economic Development Pilot there, with a focus on agrifood, forestry, bio-energy and manufacturing.
Additional trade and investment services provided by the Representatives and the Ministry include:
• International market intelligence and trade leads to help companies sell products and services overseas.
• Advice on developing marketing strategy and cross-cultural business practices.
• Connecting with key industry, government and community influencers.
• Seminars and training on exporting and accessing international markets.
• Promoting B.C. educational institutions to international students.

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