VANCOUVER - Premier Christy Clark announced today that she will lead a 13-day trade mission to China, Korea and Japan to deepen British Columbia's relationships with those key Asian markets.

The Premier-led mission, which will depart Vancouver on Thursday, Nov. 21 and arrive in Beijing on Friday, Nov. 22, will advance liquefied natural gas (LNG) development opportunities and promote the province as a stable and attractive destination for trade and investment, including the establishment of Asian corporations' North American headquarters in B.C.

The China program will include meetings and events in Chongqing, a key centre of commerce in Southwest China. The B.C. delegation will depart Beijing and arrive in Seoul on Thursday, Nov. 28. The Korea program includes both the second annual Canada-Korea Natural Gas Forum and the fifth anniversary of British Columbia's sister-province relations with Gyeonggi on Friday Nov. 29.

The Jobs and Trade Mission will arrive in Tokyo on Saturday Nov. 30, and the Japan program includes meeting with LNG investors and a B.C. natural resources lunch on Monday, Dec. 2. The Premier will return to Vancouver on Tuesday, Dec. 3.

Trade missions are a critical part of British Columbia's strategy to diversify its international trading partners and secure new investment, propelling economic activity and job creation throughout the province.

In each market, the mission will strengthen bilateral relations with government partners; promote British Columbia's competitive advantages during corporate meetings with key investors in LNG and other priority sectors; and capitalize on B.C.'s cultural bridge across the Pacific with networking events built around B.C.'s many family, economic and educational connections to Asia.

The Jobs and Trade Mission will be supported by British Columbia's expanded network of international Trade and Investment Representative offices. B.C. has four offices in China - Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and a new office in Hong Kong - plus operations in Seoul and Japan. This network of trade and investment experts abroad and here in B.C. has played a key role in facilitating and supporting 145 inbound and outbound international missions involving B.C. companies and organizations in 2012-13.

A backgrounder on China, Korea and Japan follows.

Learn More:

Check out www.BritishColumbia.ca - the Province's international-facing website to see what the world sees about our competitive advantages.

Learn more about the BC Jobs Plan at: www.bcjobsplan.ca

News from © iNFOnews, 2013