Premier Christy Clark departs today on the India Trade Mission, and will be joined by Minister of Advanced Education Amrik Virk. They will be leading a delegation of over 70 companies and post-secondary institutions to reinforce B.C.’s economic and cultural ties with India, promote further investment in B.C. and expand exports as part of the BC Jobs Plan.

“One of the keys to doing business internationally is building relationships,” said Clark. “Trade missions allow us to make connections that open doors to long-term trade and investment and create opportunities for research and student exchanges. As we continue to make inroads into the Asia Pacific market, we are seeing these partnerships create more economic opportunities - and more jobs at home.”

Throughout the trade mission from Oct. 9-18, 2014, which will make stops in New Delhi, Chandigarh, Bangalore and Mumbai, Clark and Virk will promote the strength of key B.C. sectors, including liquefied natural gas and other natural resources, clean technology, life sciences, film, digital arts and finance. The trade mission will also showcase B.C. as India’s fastest and most efficient gateway to North American markets.

Minister Virk will also travel to Bangalore to raise awareness of the great potential for secondary and post-secondary education partnerships, joint research initiatives, and student exchange between B.C. and India.

“India’s young demographics and growing middle class make it one of the world’s fastest-growing economies,” said Virk. “In the post-secondary sector, we’re already seeing the benefits of the work we’ve done to build relationships with India. Compared to other international countries, India has the second-highest number of agreements with B.C.’s public post-secondary institutions and we look forward to building on that on this trade mission.”

Trade missions are a critical part of British Columbia’s strategy to diversify its international trading partners and secure new investment, propelling economic activity and job creation throughout the province. The last three major Premier-led missions to Asian markets resulted in business deals and partnership agreements valued at over $1.8 billion.

India is identified as a key export market in the BC Jobs Plan, and is already emerging as an important trade and investment partner for B.C. For example, in 2013, B.C. goods exported to India jumped by 46% to $469 million compared to the same period in 2012.

This trade mission will build on the success of the Premier’s Jobs and Trade Mission to China and India in 2011 by strengthening B.C.’s relationships with government partners and promoting the province’s competitive advantages in corporate meetings with key investors in priority sectors.

Quick facts:

• Between 2001 and 2013, trade between India and B.C. has increased by more than 296%.
• The top commodity exports to India in 2013 were mineral products, wood products, pulp, and machinery and equipment.
• British Columbia has expanded its trade and investment network in India with trade and investment representatives located in Bangalore, Mumbai and Chandigarh.
• India is part of our International Education Strategy, which includes the goal of a 50% increase to the number of international students studying in B.C. by 2016.
• In 2012-13, there were 4,600 international students from India studying in B.C., including 2,600 in public post-secondary institutions and 2,000 in private post-secondary institutions.

Learn more:

For a daily itinerary of the trade mission: http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/2014/10/trade-mission-to-india.html

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:

Sam Oliphant
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 952-7252

Media Relations
Ministry of International Trade
778 977-0298

Stacey McGaghey-Jones
Communications Manager
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 952-6400

BACKGROUNDER

India trade mission - participating companies and organizations

• Academy of Learning
• Affluence Capital
• Atomic Cartoons
• Autopro Automation Consultants
• BC Council for International Education
• Bray Partners Inc.
• British Columbia Institute of Technology
• Broad Connect Telecom Inc.
• Canada India Network
• Canada-India Business Council
• Canadian Western Holdings Ltd.
• Catalyst Paper
• Centre for Drug Research and Development
• College of New Caledonia
• Colliers
• Colonial Coal International Corp.
• Comcast
• Creative BC
• Deloitte
• DHX Media
• East West Petroleum
• Elegant Development Inc.
• Elexisoft Technologies
• EP Canada
• ethniK Yarn
• Falcon Equipment
• Fraserview Cedar Products
• GFZ Studios
• Gill International Travel
• Green House Creations
• Huu-ay-aht First Nation
• IC-IMPACTS
• In Situ Media Corp.
• Komagata Maru Heritage Foundation
• KPMG
• KWL
• Langara College
• McCarthy Tetrault LLP
• Meghna Halder Production BC
• MITACS
• Nerd Corps Entertainment Inc.
• New East Group of Companies
• North Shore Studios
• Northwest Freightways
• Numa Models
• Omnifilm Entertainment Ltd.
• Optimus Information Inc.
• Pacific Northwest LNG
• Pacific Oil & Gas Ltd.
• Port Alberni Port Authority
• Ptc Chl
• Pyramid Wine Exports
• Raymond Massey Productions
• Royal Roads University
• Sandhurst Group
• SILO Entertainment
• Simon Fraser University
• Solaris Geothermal
• Steelhead LNG
• Sukhi Bath Group of Companies
• Sushma's Creations
• Tata Elxsi-Visual Computing Labs
• Teck Resources Ltd.
• Thinkeco Power
• TransNational Canada Counsel
• University of British Columbia
• University of the Fraser Valley
• University of Victoria
• Vancouver Film School
• Vancouver Film Studios
• Vestechno Solutions
• Victoria Square

Media Contacts:

Sam Oliphant
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 952-7252

Media Relations
Ministry of International Trade
778 977-0298

Stacey McGaghey-Jones
Communications Manager
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 952-6400