Joint funding of $2,030,000 for the B.C. Economic Innovation Partnership Program, a program to boost trade and investment with Asia, was announced today by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.

The announcement was made by the Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board, Minister for the Asia Pacific Gateway and Member of Parliament for Okanagan - Coquihalla, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, and Iain Black, British Columbia’s Minister of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development.

“Today’s investment will highlight British Columbia as an ideal place for trade and investment,” said Minister Day. “Our government is proud to work with the Province of British Columbia in its efforts to showcase our businesses and institutions to the Asia Pacific market.”

The B.C. Economic Innovation Partnership Program, delivered by the Province’s Ministry of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development, supports activities that promote trade and investment between Asia and British Columbia such as seminars, inbound and outbound trade missions and online marketing initiatives. The program involves businesses, academia, industry associations and various levels of government.

“British Columbia is open for business and, as Canada’s only Pacific province, we have so much to gain from increasing our economic ties with Asia,” said Minister Black. “We are proud to assist companies and organizations based in B.C, connect to overseas opportunities and partnerships, especially in Asia.” 

One element of the program is an initial business accelerator pilot project operating out of the Province’s Trade and Investment Representative Office in Bangalore, India. Through this pilot project, companies from B.C. can temporarily set-up shop at the trade office and tap the staff’s on-the-ground expertise and network of contacts while exploring the Indian market, developing partnerships and creating business opportunities.

Funding is being delivered through the Western Economic Partnership Agreement, a joint, multi-million dollar agreement designed to encourage economic development in the West. Both Canada and the province of B.C. are contributing $25 million each to the agreement, over four years, to strengthen economic activity and improve quality of life in B.C. communities.

To find out more about trade and investment opportunities with the Province of British Columbia, visit http://trade.britishcolumbia.ca.

For additional information (media only), contact:

Jaime Burke 
Communications Manager 
Western Economic Diversification Canada      
Telephone: (604) 666-1318     

Carolyn Heiman
Communications Manager
Ministry of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development
Telephone: (250) 952-0152