With its vibrant culture, thriving business sector, and breathtaking landscapes, British Columbia has what it takes to be a driving force in the Canadian economy. Once reliant on a resource-based economy driven by forestry, fishing and agriculture, this province is now quickly expanding into key future growth sectors like biotechnology, tourism, and film and TV production. In fact, Vancouver is the third largest film production centre for U.S.-based productions in North America, right after Los Angeles and New York!

This strong position is due in part to the unique relationship that British Columbia has been able to build with Pacific Rim populations and markets. A relationship that will continue to grow, considering that the province's largest city - Vancouver - has North America 's second-largest Chinese community.

Canada's third largest business centre after Montréal and Toronto is Vancouver, a vibrant city experiencing impressive economic development. This largest metropolitan area west of the Rockies will be hosting the XXI Olympic Winter Games in 2010 and, along with Montréal, is one of only two International Financial Centres (IFC) in Canada. The IFC is a unique organization promoting its home city as a centre for international business, which it accomplishes by allowing local companies specializing in international financial transactions to enjoy substantial tax benefits.

Vancouver's coastal location at the western end of Canada's transcontinental rail routes makes it one of the country’s largest industrial centres. The Port of Vancouver, the country's largest and most diversified, is able to serve North America and all Pacific Rim markets. Vancouver is the headquarters of B.C.'s forestry and mining industries, but it is also home to more knowledge-based industries such as software and biotechnology.

This vital Pacific hub has nearly doubled in size since 1971 and is consistently ranked in the top-five most livable cities in the world. Blessed with the natural beauty of Stanley Park, Vancouver is also within an easy distance of Whistler, a premier skiing resort in the Rocky Mountains, and coastal gems like Tofino, Canada's top surfing destination.

Vancouver is a city of choice for many Asian immigrants seeking the finest in higher education. The University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, and the Emily Carr Institute for Art and Design are just some of the high calibre institutions in Vancouver that promote academic excellence, especially in the arts and science and technology.