Premier Christy Clark announced today that she will lead a 13-day trade mission to China, Korea and Japan to deepen British Columbia's relationships with those key Asian markets.

The Premier-led mission, which will depart Vancouver on Thursday, Nov. 21 and arrive in Beijing on Friday, Nov. 22, will advance liquefied natural gas (LNG) development opportunities and promote the province as a stable and attractive destination for trade and investment, including the establishment of Asian corporations' North American headquarters in B.C.

The China program will include meetings and events in Chongqing, a key centre of commerce in Southwest China. The B.C. delegation will depart Beijing and arrive in Seoul on Thursday, Nov. 28. The Korea program includes both the second annual Canada-Korea Natural Gas Forum and the fifth anniversary of British Columbia's sister-province relations with Gyeonggi on Friday Nov. 29.

The Jobs and Trade Mission will arrive in Tokyo on Saturday Nov. 30, and the Japan program includes meeting with LNG investors and a B.C. natural resources lunch on Monday, Dec. 2. The Premier will return to Vancouver on Tuesday, Dec. 3.

Trade missions are a critical part of British Columbia's strategy to diversify its international trading partners and secure new investment, propelling economic activity and job creation throughout the province.

In each market, the mission will strengthen bilateral relations with government partners; promote British Columbia's competitive advantages during corporate meetings with key investors in LNG and other priority sectors; and capitalize on B.C.'s cultural bridge across the Pacific with networking events built around B.C.'s many family, economic and educational connections to Asia.

The Jobs and Trade Mission will be supported by British Columbia's expanded network of international Trade and Investment Representative offices. B.C. has four offices in China - Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and a new office in Hong Kong - plus operations in Seoul and Japan. This network of trade and investment experts abroad and here in B.C. has played a key role in facilitating and supporting 145 inbound and outbound international missions involving B.C. companies and organizations in 2012-13.

A backgrounder on China, Korea and Japan follows.

Quotes:

Premier Christy Clark -

"B.C. has a competitive advantage on the international stage, and these trade missions are about making sure B.C. businesses and communities see the benefits. As we develop LNG and other priority sectors, deepening our relationships through trade missions and strategic outreach will lead to more economic activity here at home, and more jobs for British Columbians."

Teresa Wat, Minister of International Trade and Minister Responsible for the Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism -

"The key to stability and shared prosperity over the long term is an economy that is balanced and diversified. We are leveraging our many family, cultural and business connections to countries across the Pacific and around the world to strengthen our trade relationships, attract new investment, and create and protect jobs."

Learn More:

Check out www.BritishColumbia.ca - the Province's international-facing website to see what the world sees about our competitive advantages.

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

Contacts:

Sam Oliphant
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 952-7252

Media Relations
Ministry of International Trade
Minister Responsible for the Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism
250 356-0613

(flickr.com)

BACKGROUNDER

Jobs and Trade Mission - China, Korea, Japan 2013

China

• China's population, growing economy and its strong personal, family and business ties to British Columbia make it a priority market.
• China* is B.C.'s second-largest trade partner. In 2012, B.C.'s exports to China reached $5.9 billion, an increase of 18 per cent from 2011 - and a 495 per cent increase since 2001.
• From January to July 2013, B.C.'s exports to China increased 11.7 per cent compared to the same period last year.
• British Columbia ranks first among Canadian provinces as a source of Canadian exports to China. In 2012, British Columbia's exports of goods accounted for 28 per cent of Canadian exports to China.
• British Columbia has established four Trade and Investment Representative offices in China: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong.
• Our international trade and investment network connects B.C. businesses with new markets and trade opportunities and promotes British Columbia as a stable and attractive destination for investment, tourists and international students.

Korea

• Korea is British Columbia's fourth largest trading partner and third largest export market in Asia. B.C. exports were valued at $1.9 billion in 2012.
• From January to July 2013, B.C. exports to Korea were valued at almost $1-billion, representing an increase of 117 per cent since 2001.
• In 2012, B.C. goods represented 52 per cent of Canada's exports to Korea.
• Korea is the world's second-largest importer of LNG. Its public natural gas company, KOGAS, has signed long-term agreements with LNG Canada in Kitimat, and is involved in shale gas development projects in northeast British Columbia.
• Korea's national green-growth strategy has led to increased interest in B.C. biomass as a means of meeting the country's new renewable energy standards.
• British Columbia's Trade and Investment Representative office in Seoul opened in May 2008.

Japan

• Japan has the third-largest economy in the world. As the country continues to recover from the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis of March 2011, Japan's growing demand for British Columbia's natural resources, energy supplies and building products will continue to solidify the trade and investment ties between the two jurisdictions.
• Japan is a long-standing trading partner and source of investment for B.C., with shared interests ranging from lumber, pulp and paper to construction, mining and tourism.
• Japan ranked No. 3 as a destination for B.C. exports in 2012 ($4.1 billion total); 13.1 per cent of British Columbia's commodity exports were shipped to Japan last year.
• Over 40 per cent of Canada's exports to Japan originated from B.C. in 2012, with coal, metallic minerals and forest products as top exports.
• Japan is a major partner in the development of B.C.'s natural gas and LNG industry. Mitsubishi is a project partner in LNG Canada, and during the Jobs and Trade mission in May 2012, Premier Clark signed an agreement with Japan's Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) to collaborate and share information on natural gas development activities.
• British Columbia has operated a Trade and Investment Representative office in Tokyo since July 2007.

Contact:

Media Relations
Ministry of International Trade
Minister Responsible for the Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism
250 356-0613