B.C.’s 2025 European Trade Mission

In June 2025, British Columbia (B.C.) advanced its international profile in technology, agriculture, sustainability and global trade during a multi-city mission to Europe. From leading global trade shows to high-level forums and strategic roundtables, B.C. reaffirmed its role as a powerhouse of innovation and a reliable partner for global collaboration.

From June 8–13, the B.C. delegation led by the Honourable Diana Gibson, in her previous role as minister of economic development, visited London, U.K., Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Paris, France, attending three of Europe’s premier industry events:

• London Tech Week, a showcase of tech innovation, talent and entrepreneurship
• GreenTech Amsterdam, the world’s leading horticulture tech exhibition
• VivaTech Paris, Europe’s largest startup and technology conference

The mission spotlighted B.C.’s strengths across sectors, reinforced international investment ties and promoted the province’s Trade Diversification Strategy—launched in 2023 to expand export markets and investment opportunities, and accelerate economic growth.

Over 30 B.C. companies participated, supported by meetings with global industry leaders such as Boeing, Siemens, Diageo, Babcock, Arcadis and Vopak. High-level discussions with government officials including the Honourable Rick Glumac, in his previous role as a minister for trade, and strategic partners underscored B.C.’s commitment to driving innovation through international collaboration.

Creative Industries & Sustainable Construction: Key Forums in London

Beyond technology, two targeted industry forums took place in London:

• BC–UK Film Forum brought together leading screen industry representatives—including U.K. Screen Alliance, Pinewood Studios and Cinesite—to address the impact of emerging U.S. tariffs on the film sector. The session allowed ministers and industry leaders to explore joint strategies for trade and investment and protect mutual economic interests in the creative industries.
• A Mass Timber Roundtable convened stakeholders from the U.K. and B.C. to discuss opportunities for collaboration in sustainable construction. The dialogue—featuring groups such as the Netherlands-based Built By Nature—highlighted shared priorities for responsibly scaling the sector and served as a build-up to Woodrise Vancouver 2025, an international timber construction event.

B.C. Agritech Leaders Shine at GreenTech Amsterdam

At GreenTech Amsterdam, 19 delegates from B.C. attended and several showcased cutting-edge agricultural technologies with applications in food safety, climate resilience and sustainable production for the fourth consecutive year. Six exhibiting firms introduced innovations such as AI-powered seed sorting, advanced environmental monitoring and digital soil analytics.

These efforts build on the 2022 B.C.–Netherlands Agritech Action Plan — created to help the jurisdictions work together to deliver initiatives and cross-cultural learning exchanges that support sustainable agricultural and agritech opportunities. Additionally, in 2023, Simon Fraser University and Wageningen University & Research partnered on advancing agritech innovation through the BC Centre for Agritech Innovation. B.C.’s integrated agritech sector—combining research institutions, a robust food system and a thriving tech sector—continues to position the province as a leader in agricultural innovation.

Featured exhibitors included:

• Agrotek Industries – Eco-friendly fertilization
• Argus Controls – Horticultural automation solutions
• BeriTech – Fresh berry distribution technology
• LoggerFlex – Wireless climate monitoring devices
• Miraterra – Digital analytics for soil and crops
• Riot Technology – GroPoint soil moisture sensors

Delegates from University of British Columbia, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Windset Farms, Enwave, the B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation and Invest Vancouver were on site to meet with people and further strengthen academic and commercial linkages.

Cutting-Edge Tech from B.C. at VivaTech Paris

As VivaTech spotlighted Canada as Country of the Year, the Canadian Pavilion—organized by Scale AI, Canada’s AI supercluster—featured over 100 companies, with 16 from B.C. leading the charge in artificial intelligence and clean technology.

B.C.’s standout tech solutions included:

• Image authenticity systems to combat digital misinformation
• Automated marine monitoring tools for fisheries
• Biosensor and biologic innovations for therapeutic applications
• Smart baby strollers to enhance child safety and convenience

VivaTech Takeaways from B.C. Companies:

“The gap is widening. Companies with massive AI/ML/Data science teams are making notable strides through sheer volume of experiments. The amount of growth in use cases I’m seeing year-over-year is staggering.” – Nicholas Ning, Farpoint Technologies CEO

“It was great to return for the second year and catch up with some of the colleagues from the last year and discuss what happened in a year. It also had been great to meet some new faces from our 600 participants delegation. Apparently largest international delegation in the history!” – “Olia Stasiuk, Bonzai AI Founder & CEO

“It’s been fantastic to see the level of government support from various provincial and federal ministers coast to coast. It’s the lived reality of #elbowsup.  Canada came together strong and proud to show on the level of innovation and passion for pushing boundaries and finding new frontiers on a global stage.” – Anne Hunger,  GlüxKind Technologies Co-Founder & CPO

Alongside VivaTech, B.C. innovators joined the Ocean Tech mission in France, with eight B.C. firms demonstrating leadership in undersea digital observatories, deep-sea submersibles and maritime robotics. As part of that mission, a specific focus session on their technologies was held at VivaTech.

Maritime Innovation Anchored in B.C.

B.C.’s longstanding marine legacy—including shipbuilding, ocean science and supply-chain technologies—was a major focal point. With 25,000 km of coastline and the largest maritime sector in Canada, the province contributes $4.0 billion in GDP and sustains over 34,000 jobs.

Key infrastructure includes:

• Port of Vancouver, connecting with 170+ markets globally
• Port of Prince Rupert, Canada’s busiest trade route for deep-sea vessels
• Esquimalt Graving Dock, North America’s largest non-military dry dock

B.C.’s maritime innovation is driven by expertise in automation, biotechnology, communications, environmental monitoring, clean fuels and the world’s largest fleet of hybrid and electric tugboats.

Strengthening Global Partnerships

The mission reinforced B.C.’s strategic focus on trade diversification and international engagement. Building on the success of Premier David Eby’s recent trade mission to Asia in June 2025, the European meetings marked a continued effort to expand B.C.’s economic footprint in light of evolving global trade dynamics. By forging new partnerships and deepening existing ties, B.C. is growing its export base and attracting investment to secure good-paying jobs and sustainable prosperity for British Columbians.

To learn more about how to expand, invest and buy in British Columbia, contact Trade and Invest BC.