Premier Christy Clark is appointing an investment and trade commissioner to promote and advance British Columbia's trade and economic interests and strengthen the Province's government-to-government relationships in Asia.

"This is a crucial time in our trade relations with Asia and we want to strengthen the ties that attract new investment to British Columbia," said Premier Clark. "The appointment of Ben Stewart sends an important signal to these markets - we want to be your partner in business. That is why we are stepping up our game, increasing our government's presence in Asia and making clear this is a priority for us."

The investment and trade commissioner will represent and promote British Columbia in meetings with government officials in our priority markets in Asia, including hosting and acting as an official signatory for the Province.

"One of the keys to doing business in our priority markets is building and sustaining relationships, especially government to government relationships," said International Trade Minister Teresa Wat. "This appointment will allow key decision-makers to have direct access to a senior government official, which is a critical part of successfully doing business in Asia."

While British Columbia has the most diversified Asia-oriented economy in Canada, the Province is continuing efforts to increase the opportunity that Asia presents. The appointment of an investment and trade commissioner is another component of British Columbia's multifaceted international development effort.

Two backgrounders follow.

Contacts:

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

Blair Phelps
Communications Director
Ministry of International Trade and Responsible for the Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism
250 356-7104

(flickr.com)

BACKGROUNDER 1

Quotes:

Mayor Gregor Robertson, City of Vancouver -

"Appointing a B.C. commissioner for trade and investment will help strengthen our growing ties in China, and raise Vancouver's stature as the Asian gateway for BC even more. Our city has longstanding connections with China that are growing our economy and bolstering business investment across the Pacific."

"With Vancouver's largest-ever business and cultural delegation set to visit China later this week, appointing Mr. Stewart will reinforce our efforts to support Vancouver companies in expanding into Chinese markets."

Greg D'Avignon, president and CEO, BC Business Council -

"To do business in Asia, a strong government-to-government relationship is necessary. As we work with the provincial government to develop the Asian head office strategy, a senior representative on the ground will help open doors and make key contacts to help bring these opportunities home. Ben Stewart brings a strong record and valuable experience to the role."

John Ralston Saul, author and essayist -

"I have travelled internationally with Ben Stewart and seen him representing the B.C. wine industry and Canadian wine in general. I was always impressed by the calm and common dignity with which he put forward our interests; to say nothing of the determination and ingenuity with which he made his arguments. Even more impressive, he was able to advance the cause of a specific industry in a way which reflected positively on the general reputation of both B.C. and Canada, and so on the full range of our products and ideas. I think he will make a very fine trade commissioner for British Columbia."

Len Pennachetti, president and founding partner, Cave Spring Cellars -

"I have known Ben Stewart for more than 20 years. During our time on the board of the Canadian Wine Institute, Ben was instrumental in the creation of the World Wine Trade Group, and negotiations that led to several multinational trade agreements. His experience and insight into managing international trade agreements makes him exceptionally well qualified for his new appointment. He'll be a great champion for trade with British Columbia."

Christian Lapointe, former Canadian Ambassador and career diplomat -

"I remember Ben Stewart spending long hours at the Canadian Pavilion at VINEXPO (the most important global market place for wine and spirit) in Bordeaux, introducing B.C. wines to international buyers, as a key facilitator of strategic alliances with South American wine institutions, and his significant contributions in building and expanding the international market strategy for the British Columbia Vinters Quality Alliance. From the beginning of his career, he has demonstrated an understanding of the economic benefits of developing foreign markets for Canadian products."

Jim Hewitt, former B.C. agriculture minister -

"I met Ben when I was Minister of Agriculture when he was just starting out with his winery. Since then, he's proven himself as a businessman, and as someone who can make things happen across international borders. His business and government experience make him very well suited to his new position in Asia."

Contacts:

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

Blair Phelps
Communications Director
Ministry of International Trade and Responsible for the Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism
250 356-7104

BACKGROUNDER 2

Terms of Reference

1. Objective

• To appoint a senior government official representative located in Beijing to promote and advance British Columbia's trade and economic interests and strengthen government to government relationships in Asia.

2. Business Rationale

• With the tremendous economic growth in Asia, BC recognizes that strengthening ties is important to attract new investment, increase trade and create jobs at home.
• The province's trade and investment representatives have been doubled as part of the BC Jobs Plan, which is generating more trade and investment leads and opportunities.
• We need to take advantage of these increased opportunities and convert them into investment and trade deals here in British Columbia.
• In Asia, building stronger, closer and more sustained government to government relationships is a critical part of successfully doing business.
• Business success in Asia requires being seen alongside and together with government, taking advantage of vehicles like government to government memorandums of understanding that establish a foundation to grow business connections, or having government officials witness business to business deals and partnership agreements.
• Those activities require the Province of British Columbia to have a high level official representative on the ground in Asia, who has the authority to influence and advance trade and investment priorities on behalf of government.

3. Geographic and Sectoral Scope

• Geographic Coverage - Asia, but with a focus on China, Japan and Korea.
• Sectoral Coverage - All jobs plan sectors, with a particular focus on LNG opportunities.

4. Mandate / Responsibilities

• Act as the official Province of British Columbia on-the-ground representative in Asia.
• Report to the Minister of International Trade and Premier, and advise Ministers, businesses and local governments on a strategic approach to advance the province's trade and investment priorities in Asia.
• Establish monthly meetings with Managing Directors of BC's Trade and Investment Offices in Asia and BC-based country Directors of Ministry of International Trade to advance key strategic trade and investment files.
• Foster and strengthen government to government relationships key to BC companies successfully doing business in Asia.
• Leverage and maximize key strategic opportunities identified and developed as a result of trade and investment missions of the Premier and Ministers.
• Initiate and/or build strategic relationships with key companies and executives interested in developing, investing in or exporting BC's natural gas opportunities.
• Lead the development and implementation of strategies to identify and attract key Asian companies to establish their North American head offices in BC.
• Represent and promote the Province of British Columbia in meetings with other governments, businesses and stakeholders, including acting as Host where appropriate.
• Represent and promote the Province of British Columbia at events and activities to advance the Asia Pacific Trade and Investment Strategy and government trade priorities.
• Lead the negotiation and/or development of partnerships, protocols, Memorandums of Understanding and/or agreements with other governments, agencies and institutions, including acting as official signatory for the Province of British Columbia where required.

5. Accountability

• The Commissioner will report directly to the Minister of International Trade and Premier.
• The Minister of International Trade will designate responsibility for day to day operational issues to the Deputy Minister of International Trade.

6. Support

• Budget, including travel, hosting, gifting, office support will be researched and assessed
• Need for official office space in Beijing will be researched and assessed
• Other operational support can be provided through Ministry headquarters

7. Reporting, Outcomes and Review

• Commissioner will track key activities, meetings and outcomes in the Ministry's Salesforce CRM system
• Commissioner will develop key performance metrics in consultation with the Ministry of International Trade and in line with Ministry performance metrics
• The Minister of International Trade will review the performance of the Commissioner annually to ensure performance objectives are achieved, and provide updates on activities and results.

8. Key Working Relationships

• Trade and Investment Representatives in-market, particularly those in China, Japan and Korea.
• Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada representatives in Asia.
• Government agencies and Crowns with international mandates, such as BCFII, Destination BC, and Advantage BC.
• BC Business Council
• Key business contacts in Asia
• Key Canada/BC/Asia business associations (e.g. Canada China Business Council)

Contacts:

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

Blair Phelps
Communications Director
Ministry of International Trade and Responsible for the Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism
250 356-7104