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On-the-Ground Regional Economic
Services Program
One of the key goals of the Ministry is that all
British Columbians live in prosperous regions and are able to achieve
their economic potential.
The Regional Economic Development Branchs primary
objective is to advance economic growth and enhanced business
competitiveness in every sector and region.
The Ministry launched the
On-the-Ground Regional Economic Services program in November 2003 with
placing economic development staff in Nanaimo, Cranbrook, Prince George,
Kamloops, and Smithers. To support these staff, professional business
development consultants have been engaged to carry out specific projects
on behalf of the Ministry.
The regional staff are contacts for
investors, local governments, and MLAs, to assist in the identification
of business opportunities, and project development and to identify
barriers to investment
The regional staff advocate for
investors, finding creative solutions to provincial policy or regulatory
problems, and work closely with other provincial and federal agencies at
a local and regional level. The interventions by regional staff results
in shorter time frames for government decisions, clears road-blocks, and
as a result, investments flow sooner and projects start sooner.
Investors feel more welcome doing business in British Columbia, and
provincial agencies are more coordinated on specific projects. |
