Eby concludes Asia Trade Mission in Seoul, pushes BC as supply chain gateway

June 11, 2025

Parteek Singh Mahal

Seoul, South Korea – British Columbia Premier David Eby wrapped up his 10-day Asia trade mission in Seoul, South Korea. The mission aimed to explore new opportunities for investment, trade, and collaboration for B.C.

Premier Eby began his journey in Japan, where he held meetings related to investment, trade, and industry. Following that, Eby visited Malaysia to discuss trade diversification, the importance of port networks, and promoting B.C.’s ports as supply chain gateways.

During the mission, Premier Eby was accompanied by Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture and Food, and Paul Choi, parliamentary secretary for Asia-Pacific trade.

Representatives from 19 B.C. companies, universities and associations were part of the business delegation. The trade mission focused on strengthening relationships with governments, business leaders and investors, as well as promoting B.C.’s strengths in key sectors, such as clean energy, technology, wood and wood products, agrifood and critical minerals.

“This mission was about supporting B.C. jobs and building a British Columbia that will be the economic engine of a more independent Canada,” said Eby. “Our trade relationships with the Indo-Pacific are exceptionally important right now, as we work to diversify our markets and become less reliant on the United States. B.C. has a lot of advantages – our proximity to Asia, our abundance of natural resources, our talented and diverse workforce. These are all things that the world needs, and it was a great opportunity to showcase that to key trade partners.”

On the final day of the trade mission before returning to B.C., Eby and the accompanying B.C. delegation met with representatives from Hanwha Ocean in Seoul, a leading South Korean shipbuilder specializing in LNG carriers, submarines, and offshore platforms. The company is exploring submarine procurement opportunities in Canada, with plans to localize benefits under the Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) program through partnerships with Indigenous groups and SMEs. Discussions during the meeting also covered potential roles for B.C. in technology, maintenance, and supply chains, alongside broader talks on trade and investment cooperation.

Premier Eby also visited Shinsegae Department Store to observe B.C. products in the South Korean retail market, highlighting growing international demand. This was followed by a tour of the Incheon LNG Terminal, one of the world’s largest LNG import and regasification facilities operated by KOGAS.