British Columbia is rolling out a new series of websites, videos and print products crafted to speak to audiences in the province’s priority markets throughout Asia, the European Union and the United States.

The Province’s international-facing trade and investment website, BritishColumbia.ca, has launched localized sites dedicated to China, Korea and Japan, three key markets as B.C. continues to promote its competitive advantages and connect its businesses and communities to new international opportunities.

The Simplified Chinese, Korean and Japanese versions of the website incorporate the improved user experience that was introduced to the English version in April 2013. All language versions of the site have been optimized for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. The sites, which have been designed based on in-market user testing and global best practices, are trusted sources for trade events, newsletters, market information, profiles of B.C. communities and more.

The Ministry of International Trade is also introducing three new videos that reinforce our international connections and are locally relevant in India, the U.S. and the EU. The new videos feature strong testimonials about the benefits of doing business with and in B.C. from companies such as Mercedes-Benz and Ping Identity, and from individuals such as celebrity restaurateur Vikram Vij and the former Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency, Terry Tamminen. The series began last fall with videos created for China, Korea and Japan.

The ministry develops and implements the brand and marketing strategy for British Columbia abroad, creating collateral material for sector-specific trade shows, conferences and key industry meetings. An expanded suite of promotional brochures — in multiple languages and targeted for British Columbia’s priority markets — are also now available online and through the province’s trade and investment offices in Asia, Europe and the United States.

Quick Facts:

• Since the launch of the improved user experience on the English-language site in April 2013, organic international traffic at BritishColumbia.ca has increased 20% and visit duration and web enquiries have increased over 30%.
• Last fiscal year, 63% of visits to the site came from outside of Canada.
• Over 100 pages have been translated and localized for China, Korea and Japan, with guidance from a number of ministries and British Columbia’s network of trade and investment offices throughout Asia. The new international websites contain information and resources for B.C. businesses looking to expand globally, and for decision makers interested in investing or locating in British Columbia.
• Redesigned and updated marketing brochures are now available for these key sectors: information and communications technology and wireless; interactive media; film and animation; life sciences; forestry; and ocean technology.

Learn More:

Find out more about the services provided by the Ministry of International Trade: http://youtu.be/YaSDt38ag0o 
English site: www.britishcolumbia.ca 
Simplified Chinese site: www.british-columbia.cn 
Korean site: www.britishcolumbia.kr 
Japanese site: www.britishcolumbia.jp 
India video: http://youtu.be/bxBlVeUtf1g 
European Union video: http://youtu.be/0MmlZ4rr37I 
U.S. video: http://youtu.be/QAwMxzweglo
Read the new sector brochures:

• ICT: http://www.britishcolumbia.ca/invest/documents/bcti_ict-wireless_brochure-march2014_english-web.aspx 
• Interactive Media: http://www.britishcolumbia.ca/invest/documents/bcti_film-tv-animation_brochure-march2014_english.aspx 
• Film and Animation: http://www.britishcolumbia.ca/invest/documents/bcti_film-tv-animation_brochure-march2014_english.aspx 
• Life Sciences: http://www.britishcolumbia.ca/invest/documents/bcti_life-sciences_brochure-march2014_english-web.aspx 
• Forestry: http://www.britishcolumbia.ca/invest/documents/bcti_innovative,-sustainable-forestry-products-inn.aspx
• Ocean Technology: http://www.britishcolumbia.ca/invest/documents/bcti_oceantech_brochure-march2014_english-web.aspx

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of International Trade and Responsible for the Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism
778 977-0298