Premier Christy Clark addressed the Canada-China Investment Summit today to emphasize how expanding trade with Asia, combined with the government's strong fiscal management and the BC Jobs Plan, is creating unprecedented opportunities for international investment across British Columbia.

"This year, after two trade missions in 11 months, our exports to China are already more than $2.8 billion, an increase of almost 25 per cent from last year and continuing to grow rapidly," Premier Clark said. "That's just one of the reasons why continuing to open up trade with China has been a major focus of the BC Jobs Plan."

In her remarks to the summit, Clark noted that B.C.'s softwood lumber exports to China are up 3.5 per cent as of July, building on a 60-per-cent increase last year. She also highlighted B.C.'s potential to help supply the energy needs of China through the continuing development of B.C.'s rich natural gas resources.

"In B.C., we are building a new industry aimed at exporting natural gas, so we can support the energy needs of growing economies like China," said Premier Clark. "And we are well on our way to reaching our goal of having three export facilities in operation by 2020."

The Premier also underscored the importance of B.C.'s skills and training plan and her commitment to keeping taxes low and balancing the budget, key factors that strengthen international investor confidence in British Columbia.

"We've spent the last year putting the BC Jobs Plan into action and working to make B.C. the economic engine that can drive Canada," Premier Clark said. "And investors from around the world are taking note. B.C. is now the number-one province in job growth, we are a safe harbour for investments and our Major Investments Office is ready to help investors make their projects a reality."

The Canada-China Investment Summit saw government officials, business leaders, economists and financial executives from across Canada and China meet to identify potential bilateral trade and investment opportunities. The summit was a unique platform for Chinese investors to network with Canadian partners and provided practical information on the investment environment in Canada, with a focus on western provinces.

Contact:

Mike Morton
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 588-8380