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? These are some of the topics that will be part of the Competitiveness BC forums taking place throughout the province in June.

Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour Shirley Bond is a guest speaker at the BC Chamber of Commerce’s forum being hosted by the Terrace and District Chamber of Commerce at the Bavarian Inn in Terrace at 9:00 on Thursday morning.

The government has provided $67,000 to fund the forums, which will be presented in collaboration with the British Columbia Chamber of Commerce. The remaining forums are taking place in the following locations:

• June 19: Terrace
• June 25: Prince George
• June 26: Fort St. John
• Fall dates yet to be determined for East Kootenays, Vancouver Island and Thompson Regions.

The half-day sessions are being 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 B.C. 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 will also 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 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, and 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.”

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."

Janice Shaben, president, Terrace and District Chamber of Commerce - “We are delighted that the BC Chamber received funding from the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training, and that Minister Shirley Bond attended our Competitiveness BC roundtable session. As Terrace and the region prepare for the growth the LNG projects are bringing, it’s an ideal time for discussions on how to improve B.C.'s productivity and competitiveness. I believe this is a great opportunity for our region, and the increased economy benefits will only be for the betterment of our business community."

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 only increased by 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