British Columbia Premier David Eby says his trade mission to Asia is part of an effort to grow trade and reduce the risks that come with international uncertainties.

The premier and his delegation have not visited China, B.C.害羞草研究所檚 second largest trade partner, during the two-week trip but instead focused on Japan, South Korea and Singapore and have met, so far, with a range of businesses including a large Japanese rental housing company looking to break into the Canadian market.

害羞草研究所淩ight now we see the tensions caused by the war in Ukraine, and sanctions on Russia, the relationship between the US and China, Canada and China, and the volatility of international relationships,害羞草研究所� Eby said on the phone from Singapore.

害羞草研究所淎nd it害羞草研究所檚 very obvious to me and to many British Columbians that being dependent on one or two major trading partners disproportionately is going to really affect us if the worst happens.害羞草研究所�

Tensions between China and Canada have been growing amid accusations of foreign interference and election meddling.

Last week, B.C. MP Jenny Kwan became the latest politician to report that Canada害羞草研究所檚 spy agency confirmed her long-held belief that she is being targeted by the Chinese government.

B.C. exports to mainland China totalled $8.48 billion last year, according to government statistics. That害羞草研究所檚 second only to the United States with more than $37 billion.

Japan and South Korea place third and fourth with about $6 billion and $4 billion respectively.

During the trip, Eby said he has met with dozens of companies including Mitsubishi about possible investment in a nickel project, and a number interested in hydrogen production.

In Tokyo, a meeting with one of Japan害羞草研究所檚 largest users of B.C. wood turned into a conversation about potentially breaking in to the province害羞草研究所檚 tough and expensive rental market.

Eby says the company, Daito, which already manages rentals in Tokyo, is proposing offering deals to B.C. landowners to build and run rental properties on their land and then lease that housing back from the landowner for a 30-year term, paying a set fee.

害羞草研究所淚n this way, that housing and the property stays with British Columbians, and the company facilitates investments in rental housing that wouldn害羞草研究所檛 otherwise happen, that people who own land would never think of building or running rental housing,害羞草研究所� Eby said.

It害羞草研究所檚 a project the premier said he would support.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e desperate for rental housing and if they can encourage landowners to use their land for rental housing by taking away a lot of the headaches that they would face in building and operating that housing, I think is a huge potential win for us,害羞草研究所� he said.

害羞草研究所淪o those discussions will be carrying on as well.害羞草研究所�

Eby is scheduled to be back in British Columbia June 7.

Ashley Joannou, The Canadian Press

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