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.
