Premier meets with governor counterpart from sister province in South Korea
Premier David Eby met with Governor Kim Dong-yeon of Gyeonggi province in South Korea last week, where the two engaged in bilateral discussions and re-emphasized their commitments toward a joint front on climate change. During the visit, Kim met with veterans of the Korean War at the legislature cenotaph on May 13.
Eby and Kim signed agreements to collaborate on cleantech and clean energy in 2022 and the two leaders have had annual meetings since.
Kim said this month that he has achieved his promise to open a Tim Hortons store in Gyeonggi province and that he was looking forward to returning to Victoria.
South Korea is B.C.’s fourth largest trading partner and export destination, accounting for 5.4 per cent of all B.C.-origin exports and half of all Canada-South Korea trade in 2022.
B.C. and Gyeonggi province, population 13 million, have been sister provinces since 2008.
Innovate B.C. names new chair
Emilie de Rosenroll has been named the new chair of Innovate B.C.’s board of directors.
Rosenroll, the founding CEO of South Island Prosperity Partnership from 2016 until this January, has been on Innovate B.C.’s board since July 2021.
The Crown agency connects innovators in every industry and region with the funding, resources and support to build and grow companies. The board is responsible for setting Innovate B.C.’s strategic direction, approving major financial decisions and measuring corporate performance, among other responsibilities.
She replaced former Simon Fraser University president and vice-chancellor Andrew Petter as chair on May 14.
Rosenroll is retaining her position of chief growth officer of Atreides, a multinational data analytics company in the defence and intelligence sector.
Brenda Bailey, minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, said in a statement that Rosenroll’s expertise in public-private partnerships will “go a long way” in supporting B.C. innovators and their companies.
Campbell River eyes new retailers
The City of Campbell River is seeking applicants for four retail spaces in a newly established shopping spot on the corner of 16th Avenue and Shoppers Row.
Funded in part by B.C., Island Coastal Economic Trust and the City of Campbell River, the Campbell River Micro Market aims to be “a hub of creativity and community engagement” in downtown.
Successful applicants will be able to lease micro-unit spaces at “affordable rates” on a one- or three-year lease starting this summer, the city said.
Locally sourced businesses are being prioritized and entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply. Applications can be found at getinvolved.campbellriver.ca/micro-market and will be reviewed by a committee.
