Prince George, B.C – Considering doing business in South Korea?

If the answer is yes, then you may want to register for the “Doing Business with Korea” workshop tomorrow at the Ramada Hotel.

“The workshop is the second in a series of workshops that we’re hosting on doing business in emerging markets,” says Initiatives Prince George CEO Heather Oland.

“It’s designed for businesses who are considering doing business with Korea or who are in the early stages or business development in Korea.”

She says attendees can expect introductory information on the new Canada/Korea Free Trade Agreement.

“The agreement eliminates tariffs on almost all of B.C.’s key exports and it provides access to new opportunities into the South Korean market.”

Oland says that’s a big deal considering, “South Korea is already B.C.’s 4th largest trading partner and export destination. Between 2010 and 2012 there was an annual average of $2.18 billion worth of exports. So it’s already a really big market for B.C. businesses.”

She adds Northern B.C. is poised to benefit even further as well.

“There will be duty free access for forestry and value added wood products. There will be improved access and entry for professional services which has the potential to open new markets for some of our professional service firms and there will be an elimination over time of trade and tariff on metal and mineral exports.”

Oland says IPG is in the midst of aligning their international marketing and communications and business development services with what the provincial and the federal governments are doing in terms of market access which includes a focus on the emerging markets of China, Korea and India (IPG has a workshop on India planned for March).

She adds they’ve lined up “three fabulous speakers” who will discuss such topics as business ethics and culture and about the financing options available to businesses.

The workshop runs from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.