Premier Christy Clark today departs for her latest jobs and trade mission, this time going to Japan, Korea and the Philippines. Building on the success of her first trade mission, the Premier is making the business case for investment in the province, for resource and project developments that will create more jobs in B.C.

"Our BC Jobs Plan is tremendously successful in seeking out new markets, and we are expanding on the long-standing relationships that we have in countries like Japan and expanding the opportunities for B.C. businesses in Korea. Just yesterday, we received great news that our unemployment rate continues to drop and nearly 20,000 new jobs were added to our economy last month alone. We have a skilled labour force, low tax rates and an abundance of natural resources. We need to get out and tell our story to investors. These trade missions build and strengthen our presence in growing markets and have enormous, long term, positive impact on our economy," said Premier Clark.

"When private industry has good relationships and confidence in British Columbia, they bring investments to our province that creates jobs," continued Premier Clark. "That's why I'm delighted to be here on the day that our friends at Japan Airlines are announcing plans to upgrade their aircraft to bring 90 additional passengers per flight to B.C. Those extra business people and tourists will translate to more dollars spent in hotels, restaurants and businesses all over our province."

"British Columbia is a business-friendly environment and will easily accommodate our future plans," said Steve Chen, District Sales Manager, Japan Airlines. "We are happy Premier Clark has chosen to travel on our airline so we can demonstrate the quality of Japan Airlines."

Departing Vancouver on May 12, Premier Clark's first stop will be in Japan to meet with government and business officials to talk about the opportunities available in British Columbia's natural gas, technology, and mining sectors.

Japan and Korea are the top two importers of LNG in the world, respectively. Both countries are looking to diversify their energy supply and are looking at increasing the use of natural gas and bioenergy as clean energy alternatives.

The Premier will then travel to Korea on May 16 to discuss clean energy options such as LNG and bioenergy with government and business leaders in Seoul and Suwon.

"As we continue to advance our LNG Export Joint Venture project with PETRONAS, we feel it is vital to engage with potential LNG buyers in the premium markets of Korea and Japan," said Michael Culbert, President & CEO of Progress Energy. "By participating in Premier Clark's trade mission, we are able to demonstrate to potential buyers the commitment that the Province of British Columbia has to building a viable LNG industry."

Finally, the Premier will fly to the Philippines on May 19 to meet with government officials in Manila to discuss labour mobility barriers, as well as opportunities for British Columbia to assist the country in growing their economy through strategic partnerships with B.C.

All of the sectors of focus for the Second Jobs and Trade Mission are identified in "Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan."

Learn More:

Learn more about the BC Jobs Plan at www.bcjobsplan.ca

And about the first successful trade mission at http://www.britishcolumbia.ca/Connect/PremiersMission/Documents/Mission_Public_Report.pdf

BACKGROUNDER

Second B.C. Jobs and Trade Mission - participating companies and organizations

Forest Sector
BC Wood Specialties Group
BC Wood Specialties Group, Japan
Canada Wood Group
Canada Wood Group, Japan
Canada Wood Group, Seoul
Canfor Coast Forest Products Association
Forest Innovation Investment (FII)
Interex Forest Products Ltd.
Interfor Western Forest Products
Transpac Fibre

Technology, Clean Technology and Green Building Sector
BC Bioenergy Network
Cannon Design - Vancouver
CB Williams Energy Group
Applied Science Technologists and Technicians (ASTTBC)
Englobe Enterprises Ltd.
Fibre Co Inc.
Equilibrium Consulting Inc.
Fast+Epp/StructureCraft Builders
Structurlam
Super E Housing Office/Energy Efficient Exporters Alliance (EEEA)
Paradigm Environmental Technologies Inc.
Mott Electric

International Education Sector
BC Council for International Education
Asia Pacific Gateway Skills Table (APGST)
Royal Roads University
Langara College
University of British Columbia
University of Northern British Columbia

Mining Sector
Canadian Kailuan Dehua
Fortune Minerals Limited
Yellowhead Mining
Getty Copper Inc
Hard Creek Nickel Corporation
Imperial Metals Corporation

Energy and LNG Sector
Compliance Energy Corp.
EnCana
EOG Resources Canada Inc.
LNG Direct Rail Ltd.
Nexen Inc.
Petronas
Progress Energy
Spectra Energy Transmission
Shell Canada Ltd.
Kivalliq Energy Corporation
Arctic Construction Ltd.

Legal, Financial and Professional Services Sector
Deloitte & Touche Corporate Finance Canada Inc.
Fasken Martineau
Bank of Montreal
Borden Ladner Gervais
KPMG
New East Consulting Services

Transportation
Philippine Airlines
Port Metro Vancouver
Gitxsan First Nation
Vancouver Airport Authority

Immigration Services
Health Match BC
Happy Homes Immigration Services

Commercial Sector
Natural Glacial Waters Inc.
Pacific Western Brewing

Contact:

Media Relations
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
250 356-7104