The Vancouver Sun Thursday 4 September 1997 B.C. sees APEC as springboard Premier likens economic summit to Expo 86 when it comes to business effects. Daphne Bramham, Sun Asia-Pacific Reporter The provincial government will use its role as host of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum to pitch the investment potential of British Columbia to a huge international audience, Premier Glen Clark said Wednesday. "I don't think there will be any specific deals [from the November meetings], but I don't think it is too much of a stretch to compare Expo 86 to this," the premier said in an interview. While Expo was a "people's fair," Clark said APEC will draw several thousand of the world's most powerful and influential people. "It will have the same kind of effect on business as Expo had on the tourism and world exposure side." An estimated 10,000 government officials, business people and media will make APEC the largest international event to be held in Vancouver, with direct benefits of about $23 million. It will be bigger than both the Commonwealth conference in 1987 and the Clinton-Yeltsin economic summit in 1993. Clark noted there will be an estimated 500 million TV viewers who will see coverage of the meeting between 18 leaders of Asia-Pacific economies. "You can't buy that kind of publicity for any amount of money," he said. B.C. already exports more than $22-billion worth of goods to Asia each year and is the primary beneficiary of Canada's expanded trade links with the region. "Vancouver already has a high profile in Asia,'' he said. "Everybody knows Vancouver, but not everybody knows B.C. The challenge is how to get more investment and more jobs for all of the province." Clark said the government will spend $5 million to sponsor B.C. Business Crossroads, a week-long showcase at Robson Square highlighting biotechnology, engineering, value-added wood and building products, subsea technology, tele-medicine and distance education. It will be the only opportunity for B.C. companies to meet with potential buyers in Asia. Clark said he also expects the first B.C.-built, high-speed catamaran will also be completed in time to be displayed for the business and government officials. B.C. will sponsor a reception for APEC leaders and the estimated 6,000 officials, delegates and business people who are also coming for the meeting. The province will also play host to a reception for the estimated 3,000 reporters, photographers and media people expected to register for the event. The premier said the B.C. Business Crossroads will be one of the only public events during the summit from Nov. 19 to 25. The leaders of the 18 economies will arrive Nov. 23 for meetings that end Nov. 25. APEC aims to liberalize trade and investment. Among its most powerful and influential members are the United States, China and Japan. Clark said that starting next week, the province, along with B.C. Hydro and Westcoast Energy, will sponsor an interactive, multimedia mall display that will travel through 10 communities to give young people more information about Asia Pacific culture, trade and career opportunities. "The Asia-Pacific connection to B.C. and its benefits are obvious if you live in Vancouver. It is not so obvious if you live in Prince George or Kamloops." The provincial government will also provide the Plaza of Nations site rent-free for the alternate People's Summit on APEC, which will provide alternative views, particularly on human rights, the benefits of trade, the plight of indigenous people, labor standards, the environment and other issues in the region. The People's Summit will be officially opened Nov. 19 by 1996 Nobel Peace Prize winner Jose Ramos-Horta. Horta has been in exile in Australia for 22 years for his opposition to the Indonesian government's illegal invasion of East Timor.