The B.C. government’s efforts to boost trade and investment with Asian markets is paying off, as B.C. businesses continue to make valuable connections with overseas governments and businesses.

One B.C. company successfully making inroads into the Asian market is Burnaby-based Gordon Shank Consulting Ltd., which manufactures high-tech fibres.

This week, Minister of International Trade Teresa Wat is on a trade mission to China, Japan and Korea to strengthen and forge new relationships. The signing of the Canada-Korea Free Trade deal was a key factor in including the Asian country on this itinerary.

In a signing ceremony on Sept. 29, 2014, in Korea, Gordon Shank Consulting and Hyundai Fiber Co., based out of Busan, Korea, announced they have entered a strategic partnership, which is expected to generate a significant amount of cellulose export from British Columbia and high-tech fabric export from Hyundai Fiber.

Gordon Shank says it was the signing of the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement on Sept. 22, 2014 that motivated him to make a move to sign the deal.

“Canada and the United States are great trading partners, but what we offer to the world market is somewhat the same,” said Shank. “Because Canada didn’t have a free trade agreement and the United States did, all our Korean partners and Asian partners had been specifically buying American-origin goods. Once the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement is ratified, business between B.C. and Korea is going to boom.”

“This is an example of the great work B.C. companies are doing to enter the Asian market,” said Wat. “Through our government’s trade and investment representative in Seoul, we are helping Korean and B.C. businesses identify and develop opportunities in priority sectors, including advanced manufacturing. With the recent signing of the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement, we expect to see even more opportunities to do business with Korea, which will boost our economy and create jobs.”

Shank says he worked closely with the B.C. government’s Trade and Investment Representative Office in Korea in the lead up to the signing ceremony, and says the office provided a lot of unexpected support.

“I’m gobsmacked by the amount of assistance the B.C. government provided to me in this deal,” said Shank. “I can’t believe the bending over backwards, support and enthusiasm from the B.C. government - from Trade and Investment Representative KS Park in Korea, to Trade and Invest BC. I’m at a loss for words as to how impressed I am. If other companies knew these resources were available to them, they would take up the offer of help and support in a heartbeat. Often times you can’t even find a private company that’s this enthusiastic and helpful, let alone a government.”

Shank says the Trade and Investment Office in Korea helped him significantly with the signing ceremony in Korea by providing advice, translation services, making connections with the local mayor and council and media, and by offering assistance for anything they might need in the future.

Shank continues to work with the Trade and Investment Representative Office in Seoul, and brings other B.C. businesses along with him to the office when he’s there so they can benefit from the same services.

Quick Facts:

• In 2013/2014, Korea trade and investment reps achieved $309.5 million in investment attraction, which met the target of $250 million for the first time.
• South Korea is B.C.’s fourth largest trading partner and export destination with $1.8 billion in B.C. exports in 2013.

Learn More at:

Follow the trade mission on Twitter @BCJobsPlan (twitter.com) , #TM2014

For more information about B.C. trade and investment opportunities visit: http://www.britishcolumbia.ca/

Learn more about the BC Jobs Plan at: www.bcjobsplan.ca

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of International Trade
250 213-2302

Gordon Shank
Gordon Shank Consulting Ltd.
778 709-3538
media@gordonshank.com