2003/04 – 2005/06 REVISED SERVICE PLAN Ministry of Competition, Science, and Enterprise

Core Business Areas

The government's overarching aim, as outlined in its Strategic Plan, is for British Columbia to have the best performing economy and the highest quality of life in North America. A key goal of government is to establish a strong and vibrant provincial economy, which includes:

• A thriving private sector economy that creates high-paying job opportunities;
• The fastest growing technology industry in Canada;
• Greater equity and equality for British Columbia in Canada; and
• Responsible, accountable management of public resources and tax dollars.

In order to support this goal, the Ministry created four core business areas. These are:

1. Improving British Columbia's Investment Climate and Competitiveness

2. Enhancing Economic Development Throughout British Columbia

3. Marketing and Promoting British Columbia

4. Executive and Support Services

Core Business Area 1: Improving British Columbia's Investment Climate and Competitiveness

The government is committed to enhancing British Columbia's competitiveness as a means to create a climate conducive to investment and a prosperous economy. The Ministry has made significant strides towards creating a thriving competitive climate including eliminating business subsidies, reviewing all fees and licenses, and spearheading the government's ongoing efforts to eliminate one-third of regulations within three years. However, British Columbia is continually in competition with other jurisdictions for investment dollars and trade. Consequently, the Ministry delivers programs that create a positive investment climate. The primary role of the core business to improve British Columbia's Investment Climate and Competitiveness is to:

• Oversee the government-wide deregulation initiative to cut red tape to reduce the regulatory burden by one-third within three years, beginning in 2001;
• Manage tax policy programs to assist small and medium sized businesses throughout the province to access equity capital for business startup and expansion;
• Complete strength, weaknesses, opportunity and threats (SWOT) analyses of the province, and each region and sector in British Columbia. The purpose of the SWOTs is to systematically identify the major factors to be considered in developing effective strategies, and provide ongoing strategic economic and business information on business sectors, regions and economic trends;
• Manage significant cross-government projects to enhance the province's competitiveness; and
• Evaluate options for improving British Columbia's tax competitiveness.

Core Business Area 2: Enhancing Economic Development Throughout British Columbia

The government is committed to developing and implementing strategies to revitalize the economy and create greater economic diversification. The Provincial Economic Strategy and the Heartlands Economic Strategy will be key to fostering investment and job creation throughout British Columbia. The primary role of the core business of Enhancing Economic Development Throughout British Columbia is to:

• Lead the implementation of a long-term Provincial Economic Strategy and drive the government-wide implementation of the Heartlands Economic Strategy;
• Removing barriers to key projects and initiatives by establishing a project fast-track process to give key projects priority treatment;
• Manage British Columbia/Canada Infrastructure program to improve urban and rural local government infrastructure; and manage the Western Economic Partnership Agreement to support economic development in British Columbia;
• Develop and implement a Tourism Development Strategy and All-Seasons Resort Strategy for British Columbia; and
• Through Leading Edge British Columbia promote and market British Columbia as a competitive business location for science and technology sectors, particularly: life sciences, wireless, new media, alternate energy, and information communication technology sectors (see Appendix I).

Core Business Area 3: Marketing and Promoting British Columbia

British Columbia has dramatic topography, abundant natural resources, a large number of small businesses and a burgeoning high-tech sector. For national and international investors, or for those wanting to visit the province, British Columbia has many opportunities. However, modest economic growth in British Columbia, combined with a high dollar, means that the Province and private sector must work creatively to attract investors by distinguishing British Columbia's business opportunities from those in competing jurisdictions. The primary role of Marketing and Promoting British Columbia is to facilitate trade and investment by:

• Developing a marketing strategy to provide the framework for communicating British Columbia's advantages and opportunities;
• Showcasing British Columbia at important national and international trade and industry events;
• Planning and managing trade missions that provide the Premier and Ministers with opportunities to profile British Columbia in key markets;
• Identifying marketing opportunities for British Columbia businesses and assisting the private-sector to create networks, alliances and partnerships to leverage those opportunities; and
• Lead the marketing of British Columbia as a film and television production location.

Core Business Area 4: Executive and Support Services

The primary role of Executive and Support Services is to:

• Provide financial, human resources, records management and information systems support to the Ministry;
• Provide for the offices of the Minister and Deputy Minister of Competition, Science and Enterprise and the Minister of State for Deregulation and Deputy Minister responsible for Deregulation and the All Seasons Resorts Strategy; and
• Provide contributions to the British Columbia Pavilion Corporation, Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre, and bad debt expenses. (Details of these contributions appear in Appendix I.)

Linkage of Goals and Core Business Areas