Trade and Invest BC
Opportunity is knocking for B.C. business owners looking to sell or attract investment using a database offering greater prominence in the global marketplace. OpportunitiesBC, a provincial government database, connects foreign investors with business sectors including agricultural and food processing, wineries, tourism and accommodation. Business opportunities must be worth at least $100,000 and provide an economic benefit to the local community.
Launched in 2012, OpportunitiesBC was created by the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Development and the Economic Development Association of B.C. to attract foreign investors to the province. In 2013, the database had 150,000 views including users in India and China.
There is no charge for businesses to submit their profile, which include business information, photos, links and location.
The opportunities are part of an online searchable database on B.C.’s official international website linking to sites in China, Japan, Korea, India, Europe and the United States. B.C.’s OpportunitiesBC is a succession tool for folks who want to invest, said Robert Fine, Kelowna’s Director of Business and Entrepreneurial Development. Fine noted that B.C.’s aging population is a concern with the most recent Okanagan census showing the average farmer was 56 years old. OpportunitiesBC is a way to keep smaller communities vibrant by giving people who want to sell their viable business an additional opportunity to find a buyer. OpportunitiesBC also attracts investors looking to fast track their permanent resident application process in B.C. through the Business Provincial Nominee Program. In the program’s Regional Entrepreneur category, those who would like to invest in a business outside of the Vancouver and Abbotsford metropolitan areas must have a personal net worth of at least $400,000, intend to invest at least $200,000 and acquire at least one-third ownership in the business and commit to creating at least one new job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Find out more at: OpportunitiesBC.ca. Email: OpportunitiesBC@ gov.bc.ca.
