Canadian Trade Commissioner Service - British Columbia and Yukon

Sector Snapshots

• Building Products
• Environmental Industries
• Bio-Industries - Life Sciences
• Information and Communication Technologies - New Media

Building Products

Building Products is a priority sector for trade offices in British Columbia.

The building products sector includes everything from the design and planning of buildings and communities to individual products used in the construction of both residential and commercial buildings as well as entire housing packages.

British Columbia has particular strength producing quality value added wood products with over 4 billion dollars worth of product sold to export markets. With the downturn of the housing market in the United States, who is our primary customer, now is the time for manufacturers to look at new markets in Europe and Asia.

British Columbia also has world class expertise in designing technical and sustainable systems used in green buildings. Many of British Columbia’s architects and urban planners are seen as industry leaders with opportunities throughout the world.

Working with your trade commissioner, your company can obtain current market information on this sector as well as key contacts to help you succeed in international markets.

Please consult Trade Events in Canada for upcoming events.

Environmental Industries

Environmental Industries is a priority sector for trade offices in British Columbia.

In British Columbia and elsewhere in Canada, the environmental sector is undergoing a process of re-orientation and renewal. The waning focus on pollution control is giving way to a greater focus on cleaner and more energy-efficient technologies for application to primary resource, manufacturing, energy and service sectors. In addition, the inclusion of issues such as climate change and sustainable energy usage has allowed for environmental technology sector to redefine itself as an effective sector.

By working with the Trade Commissioner Service, your company can match your products and services to the needs of potential partners and clients.

Please consult Trade Events in Canada for upcoming events.

Bio-Industries - Life Sciences

Life Sciences is a priority sector for trade offices in British Columbia.

B.C.'s Life Sciences sector is fast becoming a global life science leader and is the seventh largest biotechnology centre in North America. BC's biopharmaceutical, human therapeutics, contract research & scientific services and biomedical diagnostic sectors are well established and recognised globally for the many innovative products that have been developed by local companies. 

In this ever changing global economy it becomes all the more imperative to have the right intelligence and right connections to support your efforts to tackle global markets, whether it is your first venture or you are looking to expand your markets.

Our Life Sciences Trade Commissioners nationwide with a global network of Life Sciences experts at Canadian Embassies, Consulates and High Commissions abroad, can work closely with you to identify the most direct route for your company to export, expand, and invest abroad. They can direct you to grants, funding opportunities and offer valuable info on life science and medical device trade shows, conferences, seminars, etc. to further your understanding of global opportunities and take timely decisions.     

Please consult Trade Events in Canada for upcoming events.

Information and Communications Technologies - New Media

New Media is a priority sector for trade offices in British Columbia.

Vancouver is home to a large number of international video game publishers including Electronic Arts, Vivendi/Universal, Disney Interactive, Microsoft, and THQ Inc.

British Columbia’s New Media sector is among the world’s top performing clusters. It is comprised of over 1000 companies employing approximately 15,000 people, with revenues of over 2 billion dollars a year. The sector is particularly strong in:

• interactive design
• game development
• e-learning
• mobile content
• digital film/animation

In addition to having the greatest number of interactive games companies in Canada, B.C. also has the third largest film and television industry in North America.

New Media is unique among areas in the technology industry in that it bridges the arts and sciences. It is an area for the expression of artistic creation through the use of digital technologies in music, graphic, sound and light. Practitioners must also have complementary skills from the science and technology side of the spectrum.

Fortunately, B.C.’s highly qualified pool of New Media personnel is large and growing; with students emerging from B.C.’s numerous undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. BC’s human resource assets and long-standing entrepreneurial atmosphere has produced a number of success stories, and has motivated a number of international companies to locate design and development functions to B.C. including:

• Nintendo
• Nokia
• DemonWare

As a measure of British Columbia’s commitment to the sector, the World Centre of Digital Media, was established In Vancouver — it is a collaboration between the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, Simon Fraser University (SFU) and the University of British Columbia (UBC). The World Centre for Digital Media will be one of a small number of specialized graduate programs in North America that teach advanced topics in the business and creative management of digital media. It aims to create a digital media hub in Vancouver that will drive growth, competitiveness and innovation in the sector from coast to coast.

Please consult Trade Events in Canada for upcoming events.

Environmental Industries - Renewable and Alternative Energy

Renewable and Alternative Energy is a priority sector for trade offices in British Columbia.

The increasing world demand for economical, clean energy ensures new markets for Canadian renewable and alternative energy products and services. Growing concern over energy security also creates opportunities for new energy supplies. Canada’s Pacific Region is gaining international recognition for its technological innovation and project management capabilities in these sectors.

The Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) can assist your company to match your products and services to the needs of foreign governments, potential partners, and clients.

Please consult Trade Events in Canada for upcoming events.

Information and Communications Technologies - Telecom/Wireless

Telecom/Wireless is a priority sector for trade offices in British Columbia.

Wireless communications is one of British Columbia (B.C.)’s distinct competencies in information technology. B.C. companies occupy virtually every conceivable niche in the wireless value chain, from infrastructure, to enabling software, to manufacturing. Many are developing solutions based upon emerging wireless technologies:

• WiMAX
• MIMO
• Ultrawideband
• RFID

The main strengths in this cluster are location-based services, mobile applications, enterprise solutions and Voice over IP (VoIP).

The top markets for B.C.’s wireless companies are Canada, United States and Europe with many other opportunities for the industry in markets such as:

• China
• Japan
• India
• Australia
• Mexico
• Central America
• Africa
• South America

Please consult Trade Events in Canada for upcoming events.