Service Delivery and Core Business Areas
The Ministry of Economic Development is the primary provincial agency responsible for initiatives and programs dedicated to creating a strong provincial economy in B.C.
Service Delivery
Activities within the Ministry are focused on building a competitive business environment that encourages the private sector to invest, generate opportunities and create jobs throughout B.C. The Ministry also has the responsibility for the B.C. Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Secretariat. The Secretariat is the provincial agency responsible for ensuring B.C.'s vision is achieved and overseeing the province's financial commitments for the 2010 Winter Games.
Core Business Areas Overview
The Ministry has four core business areas that correspond to the organization's operating divisions. Three areas correspond to the Ministry's core activities and the fourth, Executive and Support Services, is comprised of management services, the Offices of the Deputy Minister and the Minister.
Core Business Areas:
1. Marketing and Promoting B.C.: This core business area is led by the Marketing, Investment and Trade Division. It focuses on leading the Asia-Pacific Strategy including support for the Asia-Pacific Trade Council; implementing initiatives for communicating B.C.'s advantages and opportunities internationally; managing the province's economic immigration programs; organizing and managing external and inbound trade missions; showcasing B.C. at national and international industry events; and providing potential investors with business location information and services. The Marketing, Investment and Trade Division has a base budget of $9.588 M and 41 FTEs for 2005/06.
2. Enhancing Economic Development: This core business area is led by the Economic Competitiveness Division. It focuses on leading government's economic diversification plan; undertaking analyses to improve economic competitiveness; identifying and facilitating projects that support economic growth and diversification throughout the province; working with investors to facilitate economic development; establishing B.C.'s position and policies regarding domestic and international trade issues; managing programs to improve urban and rural local government infrastructure (including the Western Economic Partnership Agreement); administering the Nechako-Kitimat Development Fund and the Competition Council; evaluating options and participating in cross government projects to improve B.C.'s tax competitiveness; undertaking labour market planning; working with the Industry Training Authority; and expediting the credential certification process for highly skilled immigrants with international qualifications. The Economic Competitiveness Division has a base budget of $314.650 M and 45 FTEs for 2005/06.
3. 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games: This core business area is led by the B.C. Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Secretariat and focuses on representing the province as a member partner in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and implementing 2010 related strategies. The B.C. Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Secretariat has an operations budget of $4.889 M and 15 FTEs for 2005/06.
4. Executive and Support Services: This core business provides executive leadership, planning, administrative and legislative support to assist the Ministry's other core business areas to achieve their goals and objectives. This core business area includes the Minister's and Deputy Minister's offices, corporate financial, administrative and human resources services and operating grants to the Columbia Basin Trust pursuant to the Columbia Basin Accord. In addition, the Division provides administrative and financial services to the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. The Executive and Support Services Division has a base budget of $10.184 M and 27 FTEs for 2005/06.
