Home » About British Columbia » Europe

British Columbia and European Union

The Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) acts as a consistent support for business transactions between British Columbia and the European Union. The European Union (EU) is a critical economic hub with a population of approximately 448 million people across 27 member states. Three of these member states are involved in the G7, alongside Canada, further strengthening their global relationships.

Trade & Investment Highlights

In 2022, the European Union was B.C.’s 5th largest destination for exports.
With twenty EU members and seven non-EU members adopting the Euro as their official currency, trade and competition is facilitated between businesses in the region while concurrently providing price stability.
The Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement was established in 2017 and facilitates trade between Canada and the European Union.

Europe at a Glance

Monetary figures are in USD

Opportunity for Foreign Investors and B.C. Exporters

Aerospace

The European Union is a world leader in the production of civil aircraft. European aviation associations’ commitment to ‘Destination 2050 – A Route to NetZero European Aviation’ will ensure that all flights within and departing the EU, U.K. and EFTA will realize net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. Opportunities exist for B.C. companies operating in manufacturing, clean air fuel and products and services to support NetZero aviation.

Agrifood & Agritech

Trends in Europe are heavily oriented towards a plant-based diet, with the market for meat alternatives expected to continue to rise in coming years. This presents various opportunities for B.C. agritech companies. More specifically, there is opportunity in application technology for regenerative agriculture, vertical farming, food security and precision agriculture. Agrifood products, more specifically within niche, high value and premium agrifood products also offers opportunity.

Cleantech

Europe aims to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, known as the European Green Deal with local, regional, and national levels of government taking action to support decarbonization. Trade opportunities for B.C. exist in low carbon hydrogen and fuel cells, batteries, circular economy, and water and wastewater. While the EU market size is attractive, it also considered as highly competitive, with a strong local supplier base for almost any product and solution. It is recommended for B.C. companies to focus on products and technologies to fill a in a technology-niche and explore partnership opportunities with local companies.

Digital & Interactive Media

B.C. offers experience and expertise in digital and interactive media which is well known and respected in Europe. Major video game markets in the EU are France, Germany, Spain, Poland, Sweden and Romania; with VR/AR development clusters in France, Netherlands, Germany, and Poland. Trade and investment attraction opportunities exist in gaming, animation/VFX, and VR/AR for B.C.

Forestry

There is growing interest across Europe in ownership, process, and commercial models of forestry management and sustainability. Along with biomass, there are also opportunities for wood fibre products ranging from engineered timber, through wood-based chemicals to biofuels. Western Europe has long been a key market for B.C. forestry products. Canada and B.C. have a strong international reputation in the wood products sector with respect to environmentalism and sustainability.

Hydrogen

The European sector maintains a focus on green hydrogen and demand is anticipated to be led by the steel and cement industries. Due to its technical capacity and political positioning, Germany is a key market for hydrogen processes. Trade and investment opportunities exist for B.C. to trade into Europe and to attract investment into local hydrogen infrastructure.

ICT

Priority areas for European governments remain the continued role out of 5G and increased digitalisation of services to better connect and improve the lives of their citizens. Key opportunities for B.C. companies include cybersecurity, internet of things (IoT), big data, health IT, cloud computing, cloud-based software, and artificial intelligence.

Industrial Marine

There are opportunities for B.C. companies to expand in Europe, particularly in sensors, robotics, UAVs, and surveying. In shipbuilding, there are opportunities in Europe for companies specializing in low carbon propulsion and alternative fuels.

Life Sciences

With Europe’s ageing population and increases of chronic and long-term diseases, opportunities for B.C. life science exporters exist in innovative products and services in the medtech and digital health sub-sectors.

Europe Top Industries (2018-2023)

Industries for Outward Investment

Investment Opportunities in Canada: Renewable Energy

Investment Opportunities in Canada: Coal, Oil & Gas

Investment Opportunities in Canada: Transportation & Warehousing

_{Source: FDI Markets}

Import Industries
(by value)

Investment Opportunities in Canada: Machinery

Investment Opportunities in Canada - Electrical Machinery Equipment

Investment Opportunities in Canada: Mineral Fuels & Oils

_{Source: International Trade Centre}

Fastest Growing Import Opportunities

Investment Opportunities in Canada: Miscellaneous Chemical Products

Investment Opportunities in Canada: Copper

Investment Opportunities in Canada: Iron & Steel

_{Source: International Trade Centre}

BC Export Industries to Market

Investment Opportunities in Canada: Aluminum

Investment Opportunities in Canada: Wood Products

_{Source: BC Stats, data sourced from Statistics Canada}

Trade & Investment Resources

For B.C. Businesses

For International Businesses

Latest News And Stories

Free Trade Agreement event with Export Navigator and Jobs Economic Development and Innovation

B.C. Workshops Boost Trade and Export Growth

The Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation (JEDI) is hosting a series of workshops aimed at promoting trade opportunities.

Workers inside a ship in front of a navigation system

On Board with OSI Maritime Systems

Specializing in tactical navigation systems tailored for warships, submarines and small craft, OSI has garnered acclaim for its…

B.C. Born – Quark® Improves Baby Products

Quark is a Vancouver-based start-up that is dedicated to offering modern families baby products that are safe, thoughtful and affordable.

View All News

How We Help

Assist in commercial location identification and site selection.
Provide information on transportation infrastructure and logistics gateways.
Offer introductions to sector associations, industries and provide cluster insight.
Facilitate understanding and solutions for talent, skilled workforce and labour mobility
Facilitate engagement with professional advisors on legal, compliance and tax matters
Help navigating and offering referrals within government agencies on First Nations, business and regulatory processes.

Identify high potential investment opportunities and offer industry insight.
Introductions to sector associations and local industry contacts.
Introductions to companies seeking investments to expand.
Provide knowledge on local innovation hubs and connections to entrepreneurial opportunities.
Introductions to local venture capital networks.

Assist in navigating government export programs and financial supports.
Advice and coaching in international expansion and exporter development.
Support Team BC missions and trade events.
Match buyers and sellers in local and foreign markets.
Provide insight on trade agreements and barriers.
Introductions to trade representatives in foreign markets.
Market entry assistance in international markets.

Trade & Investment Office

Europe

Amsterdam

Europe’s multi-faceted economy continues to present many opportunities for trade and partnership in key sectors. These include resources, biomass and green technologies, information and communication technologies, life sciences, and education.

Rely on our Amsterdam representatives to help you network and capitalize on shared business opportunities.

Contact our Trade and Investment Representatives. Our team welcomes your inquiries

Rupert Potter
Managing Director

Maxime Guinchard
Trade and Investment Specialist, The Netherlands

London

British Columbia’s Trade and Investment Representative office in London is the centre for our programs throughout Europe.

Rely on our London office to help you network and capitalize on shared business opportunities.

London Office:
10 York Road
London, SE1 7ND
United Kingdom

Contact our Trade and Investment Representatives. Our team welcomes your inquiries

Rupert Potter
Managing Director

Melissa Arsenault
Operations Manager

Graham Hilton
Trade and Investment Specialist

Rhoda Campbell
Trade and Investment Specialist

Laetitia Macdougall
Trade and Investment Specialist

Trade & Investment Representative - Ximena Portugal

Ximena Portugal
Administrative Officer

Stuttgart

Rely on our Stuttgart representatives to help you network and capitalize on shared business opportunities.

Contact our Trade and Investment Representatives. Our team welcomes your inquiries

Rupert Potter
Managing Director

Lukas Josten
Trade and Investment Specialist, Germany

Connect With Our International Network

Our Trade and Investment Representatives can help you establish the right connections, participate in events and tradeshows, explore programs and initiatives, and more. Connect with an expert near you.

Connect

British Columbia and European Union

Trade & Investment Highlights

Europe at a Glance

Opportunity for Foreign Investors and B.C. Exporters

Europe Top Industries (2018-2023)

Industries for Outward Investment

Import Industries (by value)

Fastest Growing Import Opportunities

BC Export Industries to Market

Trade & Investment Resources

For B.C. Businesses

For International Businesses

Latest News And Stories

B.C. Workshops Boost Trade and Export Growth

On Board with OSI Maritime Systems

B.C. Born – Quark® Improves Baby Products

How We Help

Trade & Investment Office

Amsterdam

London

Stuttgart

Connect With Our International Network

Import Industries
(by value)