British Columbia and Europe

Opportunity for Foreign Investors and B.C. Exporters

Aerospace

The European Union is a world leader in the production of civil aircraft. European aviation associations’ commitment to ‘Destination 2050 – A Route to NetZero European Aviation’ will ensure that all flights within and departing the EU, UK and EFTA will realize net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. Opportunities exist for B.C. companies operating in manufacturing, clean air fuel and products and services to support NetZero aviation. Additionally, there are opportunities for B.C. to attract investment from the E.U. in the original equipment manufacturing sector to stimulate the province’s aerospace sector.

Agrifood & Agritech             

Trends in Europe are heavily oriented towards a plant-based diet, with the market for meat alternatives expected to continue to rise in coming years. This presents various opportunities for B.C. agritech companies. More specifically, there is opportunity in application technology for regenerative agriculture, vertical farming, food security and precision agriculture.

Clean Technology

Europe aims to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, known as the European Green Deal with local, regional, and national levels of government taking action to support decarbonization. Trade and investment opportunities for B.C. exist in low carbon hydrogen and fuel cells, batteries, circular economy, and water and wastewater.

Digital & Interactive Media

B.C. offers experience and expertise in digital and interactive media which is well known and respected in Europe. Major video game markets in the EU are France, Germany, Spain, Poland, Sweden and Romania; with VRAR markets in France, Netherlands, Germany, and Poland. Trade and investment attraction opportunities exist in gaming, animation/VFX, and VR/AR for B.C.

Forestry

Europe is the largest global market for biomass. Along with biomass, there are also opportunities for wood fibre products ranging from engineered timber, through wood-based chemicals to biofuels.

Hydrogen

The European sector maintains a focus on green hydrogen and demand is anticipated to be led by the steel and cement industries. Due to its technical capacity and political positioning, Germany is a key market for hydrogen processes. Trade and investment opportunities exist for B.C. to trade into Europe and to attract investment into local hydrogen infrastructure.

Industrial Marine

There is opportunity for B.C. to expand its market reach in the E.U. for component and service providers. The integration of B.C. technologies into wider marine solutions by European partners also creates opportunities to encourage the further establishment of operations in British Columbia.

Life Sciences

In the E.U., Germany is the largest medical devices and pharmaceuticals market. This is a prominent market for Canadian exporters and a leading source for FDI and R&D partnerships. Germany’s growing digital economy offers excellent conditions for healthcare solutions. Additionally, France is the E.U.’s second largest medical device market. Manufacturers producing in-demand and innovative products will find their items well-received in these markets.