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

What are some of the 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.

Nanaimo is the sixth stop for the forums. MLA for Parksville-Qualicum Michelle Stilwell will provide opening remarks, along with guest speakers John Winter, president and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce and Kari Yuers, president and CEO of Kryton International Inc.

The government has provided funding for the forums which will be presented in collaboration with the British Columbia Chamber of Commerce. Five sessions took place throughout the province in the spring. Future forums will be announced shortly.

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 shipbuilding.

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 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:

Michelle Stilwell, Parksville-Qualicum MLA -

"We have a great diversity of businesses in our area, who operate locally but also think globally. I look forward to seeing how these informative sessions prepare them for the exciting opportunities ahead, helping them to create even more local jobs."

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 and opportunities 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 by sharing their best practices.”

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.
• The Province, along with industry, is looking at ways to improve B.C.’s competiveness.
• B.C. ranks in the top five among Canadian provinces for business productivity growth.
• Canada ranks 15th internationally.
• B.C.’s productivity has increased by 2.8% over the last five years.
• Ways to improve productivity and competitiveness include:
  • 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