In June 2019, Premier John Horgan embarked on a nine-day visit to Europe. The objectives of this visit were to commemorate D-Day, as well as to expand economic ties and to promote British Columbia’s strengths in clean energy. The Premier’s first stop was to Juno Beach in France to observe D-Day ceremonies alongside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. It was the 75th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, and the ceremonies served to remember the British Columbians and Canadian soldiers who fought and sacrificed for our freedoms. Victory came with great sacrifice – 359 Canadian soldiers were killed on D-Day... continue reading

British Columbia’s fresh and diverse seafood products took centre stage at the B.C. Seafood Expo in Comox Valley on Vancouver Island earlier this month. The B.C. Seafood Expo ran from June 12-13, 2019, in conjunction with the B.C. Seafood Festival, an annual event that has now become the largest seafood festival in Western Canada.  The expo brings together seafood buyers, aquaculture experts, industry leaders and government representatives to showcase the diverse offerings of B.C’s seafood industry. The two-day expo featured several local trade show exhibitors, guest speakers from the industry and provided a ve... continue reading

British Columbia has a progressive and thriving information and communications technology (ICT) ecosystem, made up of more than 5,300 companies and over 62,700 jobs that focus on software, information technology, Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, telecommunications and electronics manufacturing. Working with world-class research facilities and top-ranked universities, B.C. companies are at the forefront of developing innovative solutions and game-changing platforms. With multiple technology clusters in cities like Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna, the province is an attractive destination for major global compa... continue reading

British Columbia has one of the most diverse agrifood and seafood industries in the world, exporting over 500 agriculture commodities and close to 200 different seafood products. Our high-quality food products are in demand globally, from seafood and livestock products to fruits and vegetables. At Trade and Invest British Columbia, we offer assistance to firms through local staff and a network of trade and investment offices around the world. This includes supporting companies at international trade shows to connect them with buyers and distributors. For example, we have supported B.C. companies at the following events in recent... continue reading

Small businesses in British Columbia will be getting increased support to grow internationally with the expansion of Export Navigator. Export Navigator helps B.C. businesses become export-ready through community-based export advisors who connect businesses with programs and services that are unique to their business needs. These specially trained advisors provide personalized support to help businesses navigate the many export-related services available and tackle the logistics of customs certifications and other export requirements.The program expansion includes personalized support for businesses owned by Indigenous peoples, wo... continue reading

British Columbia has a strong reputation for technology innovation, which offers a range of investment opportunities. One example of this innovation can be found in the province’s publicly-funded healthcare system—B.C.-based LifeLabs is Canada’s largest community lab, with services ranging from standard lab testing, to genetic and naturopathic testing and developing new technologies. It has been serving the healthcare needs of Canadians for more than 50 years. With over 350 service centres supporting over 124 community groups, LifeLabs performs over 110 million pathology tests every year. A leader in medical la... continue reading

The trade mission to Korea and Japan in March 2019, led by Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology, and George Chow, Minister of State for Trade, succeeded in advancing trade relationships and showcasing B.C.’s strengths in key sectors. The six-day trade mission included more than two dozen meetings and events aimed at promoting new trade opportunities in Japan under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and in Korea through the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA). British Columbia was the first Canadian province to send a trade minister to Japan since the CPT... continue reading

British Columbia’s attractive natural landscape and culturally diverse population are enticing for tech talent. World-class educational institutions, technology acceleration programs and regional industry clusters all combine to support established and emerging companies. One of these technology accelerator programs is the Kamloops Innovation Centre. Founded in 2010, the Kamloops Innovation Centre is made up of a community of tech entrepreneurs. It is a non-profit society that serves the central interior region of British Columbia. With support from Innovate BC, National Research Council, Southern Interior Development Init... continue reading

British Columbia’s creative industry is well established, with world-class film, television, visual effects, animation and post-production companies, and a rich pool of creative talent that supports innovative products in wireless and mobile gaming. For the fourth year, the Government of British Columbia partnered with Vancouver Economic Commission and Creative BC to host a British Columbia pavilion at Pocket Gamer Connects London, January 21-22, 2019. This event is one of Europe’s top games development trade shows, and is a great place for networking, market intelligence and lead generation opportunities. This year,... continue reading

If you are looking for a thriving location to expand your business, one of British Columbia’s fastest growing economic regions could be the place for you. In recent years, billions of dollars have been invested in infrastructure improvements and other developments in the Central Okanagan region. This has supported the rise of a strong entrepreneurial culture and attracted companies from high growth industries. Key growing sectors in the Okanagan region include agriculture and viticulture, advanced manufacturing and aerospace, tourism and technology.   A long history of agricultural excellence exists in the Okanagan,... continue reading