With the global marketplace expanding, attracting business and improving productivity means being competitive.

What are some of challenges B.C. businesses face? How can a business compete? Those are a couple of questions that will be asked as part of the Competitiveness BC forums taking place throughout the province in June.

Vancouver is the second stop for the forums. Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business Naomi Yamamoto will be a guest speaker, along with BC Chamber of Commerce president John Winter, Productivity Alberta CEO Lori Schmidt and Co-CEO of G&F Financial Group Jeff Shewfelt.

The government has provided $67,000 toward funding the forums that will be presented in collaboration with the BC Chamber of Commerce. The remaining forums will take place in the following locations and times:

• June 18: Vancouver, Terminal City Club, 837 West Hastings St. at 8 a.m.
• June 19: Terrace, Bavarian Inn, 4332 Lakesle Ave. at 9 a.m.
• June 25: Prince George, Ramada Hotel, 444 George St. at 9 a.m.
• June 26: Fort St. John, Quality Inn Northern Grand, 9830 - 100th Ave. at 9 a.m.
• Fall dates yet to be determined for East Kootenays, Vancouver Island and Thompson Regions.

The half-day sessions will be led by a local business leader and will include a roundtable dialogue on best practices and ideas to enhance competitiveness. Participants will be surveyed for feedback on the sessions and to offer their input on improving competitiveness.

As many as 30 business owners and senior managers from companies in each region are expected to attend. They will represent key industry sectors including manufacturing, forestry, mining, energy, high tech and ship building.

In addition, the BC Chamber of Commerce will research competitiveness in other regions in Canada and internationally. The results will form a report with recommendations for action. The chamber also will meet with the provincial and federal governments to share findings and to develop a framework to improve B.C’s productivity and global competitiveness.

Quotes:

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour -

“We are anticipating a time of incredible opportunity in the province and want to make sure that B.C. businesses are ready to take advantage of markets that are expanding in Asia and elsewhere around the world. A growing economy means economic stability and jobs for British Columbians, both are the foundation of the BC Jobs Plan. The forums will allow us to work with the business community to ensure that we understand the challenges B.C. businesses face in the need to compete globally."

Naomi Yamamoto, Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business—

“Our goal is to make B.C. the most small business-friendly jurisdiction in Canada. Regions within Canada and abroad are already addressing productivity and competitiveness issues and we need to make sure B.C. businesses remain competitive and are ready for a global market.”

John Winter, president and CEO, BC Chamber of Commerce -

“The BC Chamber of Commerce is pleased to be spearheading the Competitiveness BC Initiative. Our focus is to engage business leaders from across the province in looking for ways that businesses can continuously introduce innovative practices in their operations and, by doing so, improve our ability to compete in a global market.”

Quick Facts:

• Productivity/competitiveness is a major cost to business growth potential.
• Other regions within Canada and abroad are already addressing productivity and competitiveness issues.
• B.C.’s productivity has increased by only 2.8% over the last five years.
• B.C. ranks fifth among Canadian provinces for in business productivity growth.
• Ways to improve productivity and competitiveness:
  • Technology adoption, streamlining regulations, fostering innovation, hiring top talent and supporting growth in high-productivity industries.

Learn More:

To find out more about the BC Chamber of Commerce, visit: www.bcchamber.org

To find out more about starting and growing a business in B.C., visit: www.gov.bc.ca/businessandinvesting

To learn more about the BC Jobs Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
250 387-2799