Jan. 28, 2008

VANCOUVER – The best of B.C. and Canadian culture, business, tourism and industry will be on display at British Columbia-Canada Pavilion in Beijing, China from May to September, Premier Gordon Campbell said today as the pavilion’s unique design and business partners were unveiled.

“B.C.-Canada Place was a major success at the 2006 Torino Games, with more than 100,000 visitors lining up to learn about our province and our country,” said Campbell. “The British Columbia-Canada Pavilion in Beijing will build on that profile and success during the 2008 Games and promote the diversity of B.C. and Canadian business, art, culture and sport to the world.”

On the first floor, the B.C.-Canada Pavilion will build on the Chinese five elements of metal, wood, water, fire and earth to create an immersive experience where visitors will feel as though they have crossed the ocean and landed in Canada. Through stories of people, communities, legends, culture and innovation, visitors will discover their own connection to B.C. and Canada.

The pavilion’s second floor will be a meeting place for businesses keen to learn more about the trade and investment opportunities B.C., Canada and China have to offer. Through an industry-driven business program, B.C. companies will be given the chance to promote themselves, build relationships and foster partnerships in the growing Asian economies.

With delegations spanning industries from agri-food to education to forestry and communities from Prince George to Vancouver, the robust business program at the pavilion will provide unparalleled opportunity for local businesses.

“In Beijing, we will be highlighting our natural advantages and showcasing the enterprise and imagination at work in every corner of the province,’ said Economic Development Minister Colin Hansen. “In addition to our Trade and Investment program based in Shanghai, the B.C.-Canada Pavilion will further demonstrate our commitment to establishing a long-term presence in the Chinese market.”

The pavilion is being designed, programmed and planned in B.C. by local businesses and will be shipped to Beijing to transform 21,000 square feet of existing space in the Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall. The project will cost $14.7 million. The federal government has committed $3 million. Tourism BC has also committed $3 million.

Discussions are underway with other partners and a number of sponsors, including HBC, Teck Cominco, Haworth, Jade West and ASPAC Developments, have already recognized the benefits of a Pavilion so close to the Forbidden City, and are supporting the project. Any costs not covered by sponsorship arrangements will be covered by the Province to a maximum of $8 million.

Any business or sponsor interested in becoming involved in the B.C.-Canada Pavilion should contact the BC Secretariat at bcsecretariat@gov.bc.ca.