BC’s Export Navigator Program Extended

September 28, 2017

BC – The Province is helping more small business owners and entrepreneurs develop export capacity and gain access to new markets by extending the Export Navigator pilot for another six months.

The specially trained advisors offer personalized support at every stage of the export process, including visiting and touring businesses to best understand their needs.

Export advisors support B.C. business owners by doing the following:

  • Identifying and validating new market opportunities;
  • Determining export readiness and supporting the development of comprehensive market entry strategies;
  • Navigating the many services available to clients and providing streamlined referrals to federal and provincial programs;
  • Supporting clients through logistics and customs certifications, financing, etc; and
  • Building business capacity to find and develop new export opportunities.

B.C.’s agrifoods and manufacturing sectors in particular are benefiting from the pilot. So far, 36 agrifoods businesses and 21 manufacturing businesses are participating in the pilot, making up more than half of the participants across all regions.

The Export Navigator pilot was developed by the Province in partnership with Small Business BC, federally funded Community Futures offices and the Comox Valley Economic Development Society.

The pilot supports the Province’s commitment to building a strong, sustainable economy that works for everyone by growing regional-economic development and helping small businesses export their goods and services.

Quick Facts:

  • Export Navigator is available in the following six B.C. regions: Cariboo, Central Vancouver Island, Comox Valley, Kootenay Boundary, North Okanagan and the Pacific Northwest.
  • To date, more than 100 B.C. businesses have benefited from the Export Navigator pilot.
  • The majority of participating businesses represent the agrifoods sector, followed by manufacturing, consumer goods and clean technology.
  • Exports provide a vital source of economic growth and job creation – right now, one in five jobs in Canada is generated through trade.
  • In 2016, total British Columbia goods exported worldwide were $39 billion.
  • Small businesses make up 98% of all business in B.C. and employ more than one million people.
  • Small businesses provide 55% of all private-sector jobs in British Columbia, the second-highest rate in the country.
  • There were approximately 388,500 small businesses operating in B.C. in 2015, and 313,500 of those have fewer than five employees.
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