B.C. businesses have a new online tool to help them be ready to tap into the generational opportunities that will be driven by the Liquefied Natural Gas industry.

The registry and tool at LNGBuyBC.ca was launched today so companies large and small can be ready and profile their goods and services to proponents and their contractors when the first Final Investment Decision is reached.

Businesses create online profiles in the LNG-Buy BC online tool that makes their specialties, their certifications, and their contact information available to other registered businesses to help them grow networks, develop new partnerships and secure new business opportunities. There are no limits to the number or types of businesses that can create profiles and connect with opportunities through the website.

So far more than 300 companies, 25 of them Aboriginal owned, have pre-registered in the tool, and are offering a range of services including accommodation and catering services, construction expertise, and finance and insurance. Today the tool is officially live and open to registration.

Taken together, the online tool will show the world the broad range of skills and capabilities that B.C. businesses have to offer to the LNG sector - and to fellow contractors, sub-contractors, and even other B.C. businesses pursuing major projects.

LNG-Buy BC is aimed at ensuring B.C. businesses have the tools they need to connect with the opportunity LNG offers. That’s just the start as the platform launched today will eventually serve multiple sectors and support B.C businesses of all sizes in entering and competing in global supply chains.

The tool delivers on the commitment by Premier Christy Clark in the fall of 2013 to launch a tool to connect B.C. businesses with LNG opportunities.

Quotes:

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

“LNG is expected to create 100,000 jobs for British Columbians. It’s also a once in a lifetime resource opportunity for this province. British Columbians are urged to start looking now at how they can benefit from the LNG trade. The LNG-Buy BC online tool is the best way for proponents, contractors and other B.C. businesses to get a head start by creating awareness and promoting what they have to offer.”

Rich Coleman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Gas Development -

“We are building a new industry with the potential to support economic development in our province for more than 150 years. Businesses large and small will benefit through a growing network of partners through the LNG-Buy BC online tool.”

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

“One of our government’s goals is to connect LNG project proponents with B.C. companies both large and small in every corner of British Columbia. The LNG-Buy BC tool is working to ensure our B.C. business community can participate fully in LNG and other major project opportunities.”

Gord Shaben, owner/operator, Silvertip Promotions and Signs Inc. -

“The LNG-Buy BC online tool is a mechanism to help educate people as to what it takes and how to prepare themselves to work with industries to do business here. It helps to open our eyes to the possibilities, doing business in a bigger way by learning what you need to do to be prepared and to the possibility of partnerships. We first heard about the LNG-Buy BC program in the spring at the LNG Conference in Vancouver. We attended the LNG-Buy BC seminar in Terrace with an open, thirsty mind.”

Devon Siebenga, president, BigSteelBox Structures -

“We’re excited about the opportunities the LNG-Buy BC program brings and we applaud the efforts of government to connect local suppliers with industry. We’re setting out to change the way people look at workforce accommodations and modular structures, and our luxury living quarters are a great example of how innovative design and finishing can combine with durable and sustainable steel to provide greater comfort and functionality.”

Quick Facts:

• B.C. has an enormous supply of natural gas - an estimated 2,933 trillion cubic feet.
• The LNG industry is a new and unique opportunity to grow the economy and create jobs in the province. British Columbia is poised to have Canada’s first-ever LNG export operation.
• By 2022, B.C. is expecting one million job openings in B.C created by retirements and our growing economy.
• More than 78% of jobs will require some form of post-secondary education, and 44% will need skilled trades and technical workers.

Learn More:

LNG-Buy BC online tool: www.LNGBuyBC.ca

LNG in BC: www.LNGinBC.ca

Liquefied natural gas seminars: http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/2014/10/liquefied-natural-gas-lng-seminars-showcase-science.html

LNG strategy: http://www.gov.bc.ca/ener/popt/down/liquefied_natural_gas_strategy.pdf

B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/getskills/wp-content/uploads/BCs_Skills_for_jobs_blueprint.pdf

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

https://www.flickr.com/photos/bcgovphotos/15798421306/player/


BACKGROUNDER

B.C. companies connecting to LNG opportunities

Two B.C. companies that are registered with the www.LNGBuyBC.ca online tool are already connecting with LNG opportunities and are looking forward to benefitting from more LNG related business that is ahead.

BigSteelBox Structures looking to connect through LNG-Buy BC
http://www.bigsteelbox.com/modular-buildings-workforce-housing/
BigSteelBox Structures is a Kelowna-based innovative builder of mobile structures with more than a decade of experience modifying ocean-shipping containers to meet the office and accommodation needs of Canada’s mining, forestry and oil and gas industries. To meet potential demand, BigSteelBox recently added a manufacturing facility in B.C.’s Interior, allowing them to double capacity and create new job opportunities over the next five years including in-house designers, engineers, tradesmen, account managers and project managers.

Terrace company finds LNG-Buy BC online tool valuable
http://www.silvertipinc.ca/
Silvertip Promotions and Signs Inc. has ten employees and is based in Terrace. It prides itself on being a one stop promotional advertising service. It specializes in promotional products, corporate branding and signage. The company is already working on some LNG related projects providing products for a company as well as creating signage for another business. Silvertip owner Gord Shaben is eager to get to see his company get more LNG contracts.

There are over 300 companies currently registered from throughout the province, 25 of which are aboriginal ownership, offering a wide range of services including:

• Accommodation and Food Services
• Administrative Support
• Waste Management and Remediation Services
• Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
• Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
• Clean Energy and Environmental Technology
• Construction
• Education Services
• Finance and Insurance
• Health Care and Social Assistance
• Manufacturing
• Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction
• Professional Services
• Real Estate and Rental and Leasing
• Transportation and Warehousing

Media Contacts:

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