Dr. Georg Witschel, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ottawa, is the only ambassador ever to visit Prince George in an official capacity.
His two-day visit concluded last night with a reception at the Coast Inn of the North with about 70 members of the community in attendance.
Witschel came to Prince George because he wanted to visit some of Canada's cities.
The only other ambassador to visit Prince George was former U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Dave Wilkens, who visited in May 2008 for an informal luncheon with the Prince George Chamber of Commerce.
"It's nice to get out of Ottawa and see other parts of the country," Witschel said.
On this trip he is going to Jasper by train from Prince George and making official stops in Regina and Saskatoon to tour the universities there.
Local businessman, Dr. Albert Koehler, Consul of Germany for Prince George went to a conference in Ottawa earlier this year and spoke to Witschel about the great potential he sees in the northern region of British Columbia.
"I think he's right," said Witschel. "Dr. Koehler is an ardent supporter of Prince George and there are various factors here that indicate there is tremendous potential. It's very impressive."
Witschel connected with Dr. George Iwama, the president of the University of Northern British Columbia and the topics of education, renewable energy and climate change were discussed.
Witschel said he was very impressed with a tour of the university and its pellet plant energy source.
"I learned that pellets are a clean energy source, more efficient than even natural gas," Witschel said.
Witschel sees the potential and knows that the area exports raw resources and is looking to see where value-added products could be made in the north.
"This is where the city and province will have to do more," Witschel added.
That's where the lack of skilled trades people comes into play and that's why education is such an important part of the equation, Witschel said.
He pointed to the optimistic attitude of the people in Prince George as something he values, "People aren't asking can we do it, they are asking how can we do it," said Witschel.
