B.C. GOVERNMENT OPENS NEW TRADE OFFICES IN CHINA

BEIJING – British Columbia’s economic presence in China is being strengthened thanks to the opening of two new trade and investment offices by Small Business, Technology and Economic Development Minister Ida Chong.

“China is British Columbia’s second-largest trading partner and is a vital and growing export market for our products,” said Chong, who is also the Minister responsible for the Asia-Pacific Initiative. “Our trade and investment offices bring proven local, on-the-ground connections and expertise to help B.C. companies connect with potential partners. These offices will enhance British Columbia’s already strong business and cultural ties with China.”

The two new Trade and Investment Representative Offices are located in Beijing and Guangzhou and will work in conjunction with the existing B.C. trade office in Shanghai. The offices promote British Columbia as a destination for investment and trade and a leader in research and development as well as showcasing B.C. products and resources.

The offices also support British Columbia-based companies through trade mission activities and will help identify potential business and investment leads.

The Province has contracted Ho Hing Consultancy Inc., headed by Kevin Tsui, to provide trade and investment representative services in Beijing. Previously, Tsui worked for Boxalino, a Swiss-based information software company. He also served as the managing director in China for the Canada China Business Council. Before moving with his family to Beijing in 2003, Tsui was based in Vancouver. Tsui is fluent in English, French, Mandarin and Cantonese.

Guangzhou Jiayue Business Consulting Co. Ltd., headed by Cathy Yao, has been awarded a contract to provide trade and investment representative services. Previously, Yao spent 10 years in the trade section at the Canadian Consulate General in Guangzhou as a Trade Commissioner and Investment Champion. Yao is fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin.

The opening of the Beijing and Guangzhou offices brings the number of trade and investment offices in Asia to five. In addition to the locations in China, British Columbia has offices in Tokyo and Seoul. The Province also expects to open an office in the Indian city of Bengaluru by the end of April.

By 2020, the annual trade gain with Asia-Pacific is estimated at $76 billion for B.C. and $230 billion for Canada. The total employment impact is estimated to be 255,000 jobs in B.C. China is expected to play a very important role in the economic future of B.C.

The establishment of B.C.’s trade and investment offices is a component of the Province’s Asia-Pacific Initiative and helps establish British Columbia as Canada’s Pacific Gateway. For more information, please visit www.CanadasPacificGateway.ca.

-30-


Media contact:	Gordon Williams Communications Director 250 952-0152 250 413-7316 (cell)

For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.