The Canadian province of British Columbia (BC) is reaching out to northern Indian business owners and skilled workers interested in immigration to Canada by establishing a BC in-market business investment and skilled liaison representative in the Chandigarh region of the Punjab.

"India is one of the world's largest and fastest growing economies and British Columbia has deep and established roots with the people of India," stated Premier Gordon Campbell during his announcement of the new appointment. "Establishing a BC in-market business investment and skills liaison representative meets a commitment made under our Asia-Pacific initiative to establish a full-time presence in key Asian markets - including India - to attract new business investment to BC and identify future skilled workers."

The provincial government is investing $150,000 towards this new presence in India.

Promotional activities will seek to reach out to Indian entrepreneurs to encourage them to immigrate and create new business investments in BC under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).