When Premier Christy Clark leads an international trade mission to China from Oct. 30 to Nov. 7, 2015, one key focus of the mission will be to demonstrate how B.C.’s clean technology industry complements China’s need for clean renewable energy.

China has a goal to develop 120,000 megawatts of renewable energy by 2020, requiring an investment of 800 billion yuan (about US$100 billion). B.C.’s leading position in key renewable energy sectors such as biomass/biofuel, hydrogen and fuel cells provide opportunities for B.C. to help China reach its goal. Other key sectors includewind, solar photovoltaic and solar thermal energy. Emerging opportunities will likely also exist in experimental technologies such as tidal and ocean energy, as well as alternative technologies like coal bed methane, coal-to-liquid and carbon capture and storage.

British Columbia has developed a good relationship withChina in the clean tech sector, signing ahistoric agreement on April 14, 2014 to deepen trade, investment and cultural connections, specifically including technology, clean technology and the green economy. In August 2013, British Columbia company IMW signed a one billion RMB (US $167 million) purchase agreement with China Gas for natural gas compressors and related technologies, in addition to the 124 compressor stations IMW has already equipped for China Gas.

Trade missions such as this one are a critical part of British Columbia’s strategy to diversify its international trading partners and secure new investment.

British Columbia has 11 trade and investment representative office locations (TIRs) around the world with four offices located in China:Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai. The TIR team works alongside the ministry’s British Columbia-based trade and investment team to make introductions to potential buyers, investors and other in-market partners. They also help B.C. companies and communities identify attractive investment opportunities.

If you are looking to expand a B.C. business internationally or partner with B.C. businesses, the B.C. Ministry of International Trade can help you connect with trade experts, local contacts, and potential clients through thesenetworks and services.

News source: BC Trade And Investment Office (http://www.britishcolumbia.ca/global/trade-and-investment-british-columbia-blog/october-2015/china-mission-will-promote-bc%E2%80%99s-clean-tech-sector/