The B.C. government is trying to boost international trade by doubling oversees trade offices, providing special host services for visiting trade delegations and launching a marketing campaign to lure companies to the province.
Jobs, tourism and innovation minister Pat Bell said the plan, announced Friday, follows on the roll the offices have played in boosting the province's lumber shipments to China.
"We've had tremendous success on the forestry file and that has largely come a result of the investment we made in our trade offices, particularly in Shanghai and Beijing," Bell said.
"So it's just a logical extension to help continue to support those sorts of initiatives. I think it can lead to great growth in other sectors as well as forestry."
NDP jobs, economic development and trade critic Jenny Kwan said the Liberals closed trade offices when Colin Hansen was the finance minister and expected representatives to work out of their homes and cars.
"So, now they've discovered they need to expand trade representation in Asia," she said. "That was something we've been calling for for a long, long time now, so I'm glad that they've recognized that."
The government will also set up a new hosting program for visiting trade delegations, linking them with potential business opportunities and partnerships.
Calling the jobs plan little more than a recycling of old policies and promises, Kwan said the Asia-Pacific Business Centre in Vancouver is already providing those services.
In another move, B.C. will launch a marketing and sales campaign aimed at attracting international companies to set up offices in the province, with the focus on companies headquartered in Asia.
Clark will leave on a trade mission to China and India on Nov. 4.
- with files from Canadian Press
