A unique opportunity to showcase northern B.C.'s resources is coming by way of a visit from Dr. Georg Witschel, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ottawa.
Local businessman Dr. Albert Koehler visited with the Ambassador in Ottawa two months ago when both attended the same conference, and spoke of the region's attributes.
Next thing Koehler knew, Dr. Witschel said he would be visiting Prince George to see firsthand what the north has to offer.
"I must say I was very surprised when I heard Witschel was coming to Prince George and asked me to establish a two-day program," said Koehler. "It comes down to focusing on interaction and learning about mutually-beneficial opportunities."
Koehler had stressed to Witschel that despite the downturn in the global economy, British Columbia was not as drastically affected as other parts of the country and the world, which makes the province's exports all the more appealing.
"These are knowledge-based exports," said Koehler. "Science, engineering and technology, which makes it that much more interesting that the University of Northern B.C. just approved in principle the introduction of civil and mechanical engineering programs."
UNBC will now lobby for provincial government funding to establish the programs.
There has also been an increase in trade between Canada and China and other eastern countries - and what is interesting is that the German economy is at its peak.
China and Germany are No. 1 and 2 for largest exports worldwide in dollar value. Until three months ago Germany, was No. 1 and China was No. 2.
"It's in high gear as it never was for the last 20 years and the reason being is that the Germans and Europeans are manufacturing machinery and delivering it to China, and China then uses this quality machinery to produce the goods that we are buying -- so it's a very connected trade. We in Canada provide the natural resources to produce the goods," said Koehler.
The German ambassador will making an official visit for two days April 7 and 8 and making several stops in the area. Witschel will meet with local companies, corporate stakeholders, university representatives and Mayor Dan Rogers.
The only other ambassador to visit Prince George was former U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Dave Wilkens, who visited in May 2008 for a luncheon with the Prince George Chamber of Commerce.
