(Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Dylana Milobar

KAMLOOPS INNOVATION CENTRE

International Trade Minister gets in-depth view of Kamloops Innovation Centre operations

Sep 4, 2019 | 10:13 AM

KAMLOOPS — Canada’s Minister of International Trade Diversification paid a visit to Kamloops today, checking out a few local companies.

Hosting the first tour for Jim Carr was the Kamloops Innovation Centre (KIC), which works with a number of start-up tech companies, and fosters business plans with entrepreneurs.

Many successful companies have worked with the centre, including Hummingbird Drones, which now contracts drone work through the BC Wildfire Service.

KIC Executive Director Lincoln Smith says the federal government has taken note of the way the centre operates.

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“Our example of working closely with Thompson Rivers University to train and produce talent for building up the tech sector, I think that’s something that they’re interested in seeing as a model for other cities of our size across Canada.”

After the tour of Kamloops Innovation Centre, Carr made his way around town to visit Riversong Guitars and TRU.

Carr’s visit comes after his ministry put a large focus on growing Canadian exports, and diversifying the countries we do trade with Carr says bringing young people, women, and minorities into the trade sphere is key in a transitioning economy.

“In this part of British Columbia, there’s all kinds of potential. And it’s not just unrealized potential. They’re exporting now, and we want them to export more because that means more prosperity, more growth, and more jobs for Canadians.”

In trying to reduce Canada’s export reliance on one or two countries such as the U.S and China, Carr says they’re looking at other options.

“Southeast Asia (in particular). Asia, I think, is a market with a burgeoning middle class, and they’re very hungry for what we produce,” he explains. “Agricultural products, machinery, natural resources — much of it is available in British Columbia.”