VANCOUVER ISLAND – A new pilot program to help small BC businesses navigate export services is now being offered in four communities throughout the province, including the Comox Valley and Port Alberni.
Export Navigator is a one-year pilot project the Province has developed in partnership with Small Business BC and federally funded Community Futures offices. The BC government is contributing more than $500,000; Community Futures is providing $140,000 and Small Business BC is administering the project.
The program, which is part of a commitment in the #BCTECH Strategy to help small businesses become export ready, is designed to assist growth-oriented businesses that can demonstrate a capacity to increase production and have the resources to commit to exporting. Trained export advisors in each community are providing personalized support, helping to identify and connect businesses to the appropriate programs, services and contacts at every stage of the export process.
The Comox Valley will have two export advisors through its Comox Valley Economic Development office, while Port Alberni has two export advisors operating out of its Community Futures office.
Complementing this work are new export tools to encourage export growth and simplify the process, including:
- A streamlined business needs and export readiness assessment;
- A client workbook that empowers businesses with information and knowledge to advance their export goals.
The other two pilots are taking place in Prince George and Vernon.
