Local businesses looking for an inroad into major natural resource projects will have their chance in January.
Initiatives Prince George is hosting its third annual Market Expansion Forum Jan. 20, to help create connections with project representatives in town for the Premier's B.C. Natural Resources Forum on Jan. 21-22.
Those connections stemming from the Procurement Opportunities in Northern B.C. event "will ensure that the supply chain is as informed and as robust as possible, which will help proponents ensure that their project are delivered on time and on budget," said IPG CEO Heather Oland.
In addition to preparing Prince George and regional businesses to reap benefits from planned natural resource and related projects, the forum will also have a special focus on the estimated $75 million worth of forestry projects currently underway and $786 million worth of work proposed in the next three years.
"This forum is an excellent opportunity for businesses to better understand what major industry is looking for, what local procurement opportunities will be available and how to get into these industrial supply chains," said Northern Development Initiative Trust business development director Renata King. "The industrial development planned for northern B.C. over the next decade is unprecedented and businesses need to be ready."
The forum will be held at the Ramada Hotel between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Early-bird registration is available until Dec. 21 at marketexpansionforum2015.eventbrite.ca. Registration remains open until Jan. 15, 2015, but at an increased price.
