Go Global
Open New Avenues
Grow Your Business

Tapping into international markets offers the potential for immense business growth. British Columbia’s (B.C.) strategic location on the west coast of North America and its supportive business environment means businesses of all sizes, across all industry sectors, can benefit from going global. Trade and Invest B.C. offers a wide variety of resources to help your business grow through international opportunities.

British Columbia’s Competitive Advantage

There is a vision for B.C.’s economic future: creating an innovative, sustainable, and inclusive economy that works for everyone.

BC’s biggest economic advantage is our people. And with strong and measurable environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments by the province, these principles are a key part of how we do business. Adherence to these principles will help make B.C. businesses stand out and gain competitive advantage in the global economy and help build a Stronger BC.

Export your business advantages by leveraging B.C.’s collective economic advantage. Learn more about our strategic markets and the opportunities to be found in exporting B.C. products and services globally.

Why Export

Get Started Exporting

Are you export ready?

Answer a few short questions to assess your readiness to do business abroad. Learn what it takes to become export ready.

Take the Quiz

Funding and Support

Apply for financial support or join programs that help innovative firms and motivated groups reach their export potential.

Explore

Export Guides

Access guides and information about what you need to successfully do business in international markets.

Access Guides

Explore Markets

Country and sector information

Research your next target market with up-to-date information and reports on international markets and sectors.

Explore market information

Tariffs, sanctions and export controls

Plan for the tariffs, sanctions, and export and controls that you may encounter when exporting from B.C.

Learn about tariffs

Canada’s trade agreements

Take advantage of Canada’s free trade and foreign investment agreements.

Explore trade agreements

Export Programs For BC Businesses

Export Navigator

A program that offers access to community-based export specialists who can provide a personalized, step-by-step approach to exporting. Available in specific regions outside the lower mainland.

Discover Export Navigator

Trade Accelerator Program

For businesses in the Lower Mainland and some other communities, the Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) offers access to export specialists who can help businesses go global.

Learn about TAP

Federal Government Programs

Canada’s federal government offers a variety of programs that help grow business export capacity.

Explore federal programs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions we are asked at Trade and Invest BC about exporting goods and services internationally.

We are a small company and are not sure if we have the means and resources to export abroad like a large company. Can you help us?

Exporting is a way to grow even a small business. We suggest exploring one of our export capacity development programs to gauge your potential and readiness. You may also want to consider how Canada’s 14 free trade agreements covering 51 countries can provide you with a leg up on your international competitors.

To establish a presence in Europe we need an economical and efficient way to meet with potential buyers and partners there. How can you help?

The Province of B.C. maintains a global presence internationally including offices located in Europe. Our Export Services team can highlight programs and upcoming events that may assist in developing your export capacity to the key market you’re interested in reaching. Please contact us, we are here to help.

We see two programs available to help B.C. businesses become export ready. Which should we choose? Export Navigator or the Trade Accelerator Program? Are these programs free?

The Province offers two programs that help companies learn more about exporting and help them develop export capacity: Export Navigator and the Trade Accelerator Program. These programs serve different geographical areas of the province so please ensure that the program that interests you serves your area. You will find useful information about exporting goods and services on this section of our website, including information specifically on how to access and register for services from the above programs.

Our company already sells to the U.S. and we see potential for our products in other markets such as India. Should we contact the Trade and Invest BC representative directly in India for help?

Trade and Invest BC supports programs that help grow the export capacity of B.C. companies. Please contact our Export Services team first to discuss how we can assist you in India or other markets where B.C. has an office.

We are considering diversifying our export markets. How can Canada’s free trade agreements (FTAs) make our goods/services more competitive abroad?

Free trade agreements provide a degree of certainty in uncertain times, advance and protect B.C.’s competitive advantages, open new markets, remove trade barriers, generate new trade opportunities (including for Indigenous peoples), lower business costs, improve labour mobility and are a critical part of attracting new investment into B.C.’s regions. FTAs apply to all sectors of the economy and many areas of trading relationships, including goods, services, and investment. Our Trade Policy and Negotiations team can help you navigate FTAs to ensure you are making the most of them.

Our business is facing a barrier to trade. How can we seek to have it addressed?

Trade barriers include onerous or duplicative administrative procedures, quantitative restrictions (such as quotas), price controls, licensing requirements and product labelling requirements. Trade barriers take two forms – tariff and non-tariff. It is important to remember that not all regulations and procedures will be considered a trade barrier. Some regulations make sense, such as those aimed at protecting public health or the environment. If you are facing a legitimate barrier this website makes it easy to report them. Our Trade Policy and Negotiations Team can also seek to have it addressed by advocating for you to the relevant authorities..

WHO WE ARE

Trade and Invest BC helps organizations find and grow opportunity.

We facilitate foreign investment and enable businesses to successfully expand to and establish a business presence in British Columbia, Canada. We also help build connections and partnerships by promoting the trade of B.C. products and services globally.

Our teams are located in Canadian embassies, high commissions and consulates in cities around the world.

Canada Place in Downtown Vancouver — Trade and Invest BC global headquarters located at Canada Place in Vancouver

Our Global Network

Trade and Invest BC Representative offices

Canada
Vancouver

Japan
Tokyo

Europe
London

UNITED STATES
Seattle
San Francisco
Los Angeles
Boston

China
Beijing
Shanghai
Guangzhou
Chongqing

Southeast Asia
Manila
Jakarta
Singapore
Ho Chi Minh City

India
Delhi
Mumbai
Chandigarh
Bangalore

South Korea
Seoul

Learn more about Trade and Invest BC

Go GlobalOpen New AvenuesGrow Your Business