November 25, 2003
Development of Export Markets
MLA Statement
R. Lee: Recently we have heard a lot of good news in this province, but I'm most excited at knowing that in October over 30,000 new jobs were created in British Columbia. It shows that the economic policies of this government are working. One important component of our economy is export, which accounts for one in five jobs in this province. This month I had the opportunity to participate in two trade missions: the trade mission to China and the trade mission to northern B.C.
In China the delegation promoted the advantages of British Columbia for its products: education, high-tech and tourism. As a result of this mission in Shanghai, the University of British Columbia reinforced its relations with the Jiao Tong University, and our Premier broke ground for the $12 million Dream Home China project. In Guangzhou our Premier helped foster collaboration of SARS vaccine research between Guangdong and British Columbia, two sister provinces.
In Beijing our Premier spoke in the World Economic Forum. With the hon. member for Oak Bay–Gordon Head, I witnessed the Premier signing agreements with the Chinese Minister of Education for further cooperation and with the Chinese Academy of Forestry to find new uses for fire- and beetle-affected wood. We also witnessed the signing of 14 MOUs between BCIT and its various partners in many cities of China.
Right after the trade mission to China, together with my colleague the hon. member for Prince George North, SUCCESS and the organization Export Prince George, we brought a group of Chinese Canadian investors and exporters from the lower mainland to Prince George and other central interior towns. This visit went extremely well, as it brought together the investors and exporters with the lumber producers to establish trade relations.
For greater prosperity in British Columbia, we must continue to make a concerted effort in developing our export markets to create more jobs for our families in this province.
