Experts describe Eby's 10-day Asia tour as important

Experts have described Premier David Eby's 10-day Asia tour starting June 1 as very important. Kristen Hopewell, professor and director of the Liu Institute for Global Issues at the University of BC, said that due to our geographical location, it has been much easier for our BC and Canadian companies to trade with the US compared to the Asian market, and about 50 per cent of our trade has been going to the US, which is our biggest weakness at the moment.

She said that with Eby's Asia trade mission, we hope to get access to other markets, which will allow the province to reduce its dependence on the US for its trade.

Eby will visit Japan, South Korea and Malaysia during the trade mission. He will be accompanied by Agriculture Minister Lana Popham, Parliamentary Secretary for Asia-Pacific Trade Paul Choi and leading business leaders from the province.

Japan is currently BC's third largest trading partner and South Korea its fourth largest trading partner. Presently, BC does not do much trade with Malaysia.