Good news for the business community in British Columbia.

The Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation has brought in nine trade and investment specialists to help B.C. businesses who are looking to expand into overseas markets.

The trade representatives, who are on contract with the B.C. government, work in seven different countries and have experience in a variety of industries, including forestry, mining, tourism and international education.

Trade and investment representatives play a vital role for businesses looking to expand into international markets. They can make local introductions to potential investors, buyers, and in-market partners, and help companies identify opportunities and give advice on intelligent investment decisions.

In this program, the reps will offer businesses advice on building networks in foreign markets, outline their overseas services, and have one-on-one meetings with companies throughout the province.

The trade representatives will be in the province from May 23 to June 5, making stops in Penticton, Vernon, Kelowna, Kamloops, Prince George, the Comox Valley, Nanaimo, Victoria, Langley and Vancouver.

Ultimately, the government hopes that this initiative will expand the B.C. economy and create jobs by increasing exports and attracting investment.

"Exporting is vital to the economic health of British Columbia, and helping businesses learn how to expand their markets overseas is one way to create jobs for families," says Pat Bell, the B.C. Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation.

"We want businesses in all parts of British Columbia to have access to our services, and by sending the trade reps to the regions, we're making it easier for those businesses to learn about new opportunities and services."

For more information about this program, visit the British Columbia international trade and investment website

If you enjoyed this article, be sure to visit CanadaOne's article knowledge base for more informative articles.