Vernon companies made some international connections Friday during the B.C. Trade and Investment session.
More than 80 people turned out for the event that featured representatives from Japan, China, East China, Korea, India, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and the United States.
Kevin Poole, manager, economic development and tourism for the City of Vernon, said each representative made a short presentation on their respective markets in the morning, followed by an opportunity for companies to meet one-on-one with the international representatives in the afternoon to discuss specific opportunities.
Poole said local companies are already doing international business and the meeting will further those relationships as well as foster new ones.
Poole said across Canada, around 80 per cent of exports to go the United States, but in B.C. only 52 per cent goes south of the border.
“We are much more diversified here in B.C. and we have a lot of interest from companies locally that are looking at the Asian marketplace,” said Poole.
Paul Irwin, with the Ministry of International Trade, said China alone is a “huge market.
“China is almost like a whole number of different markets.”
Irwin said trade representatives can advise local companies based on what their product or service is, adding there a numerous opportunities for companies to expand their markets.
“In all Asian markets, Canadian products are seen as high quality, safe and clean so there is a great demand for a lot of what B.C. companies have to offer,” said Irwin.
Poole said meetings like the one held at the Prestige Inn go a long way in fostering business relationships.
“It’s all about building relationships in those market places with potential customers, but it’s also about building relationships with B.C. trade reps that are going to support their efforts as they move forward,” said Poole.
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