Good morning. My name is Mike M. Suk. I'm from Vancouver, British Columbia, and I represent the Korean Cultural Heritage Society of British Columbia. Established in 2000, the KCHS is a non-profit organization that serves communities in B.C. by organizing community-based multicultural events that showcase the dynamics of Korean culture and heritage. This year, our 13th annual festival held in Burnaby attracted over 26,000 members of our community and established it as one of the largest multicultural festivals in the Lower Mainland.
One of the most rewarding experiences in being involved with the KCHS is that I have the privilege of connecting with citizens who cover the full social and economic spectrum of the approximately 80,000 Korean Canadians who call B.C. their home. From this community-based context I'd like to offer my perspective on the Canada-Korea free trade agreement. Overall I believe the CKFTA is a significant step forward for Canada. In less than 60 years South Korea has made its mark on the world stage. Cutting-edge industries have developed in Korea. Korea has also emerged as an influential tastemaker in Asia. I believe companies in Canada, through joint ventures with South Korea, will gain favourable access to other high-growth emerging markets in Asia.
In terms of immediate returns, as you know, British Columbia is a trading province with a wealth of agricultural goods, natural resources, and professional services for export. Well-positioned companies and professionals in Canada will be able to take a lead and gain immediate benefits from the FTA, which is a great thing for everyone in our province. Having said that, what's more relevant and critical for this deal to me and my community is not just focusing on these major industries but that the government paves the way for young professionals and entrepreneurs to venture into the emerging industries of tomorrow.
One of the pressing issues of the day in my community is the lack of exciting jobs and opportunities for young professionals and entrepreneurs. In a very real way we are losing talented young professionals every year to countries around the world. New graduates are increasingly forced to find career opportunities oversees. I believe the free trade agreement poses an opportunity to be implemented in a way that increases the bandwidth of opportunity for young Korean Canadians with bilingual abilities and the cultural acumen to build profitable businesses and exciting careers here at home. In the long run this will result in, I believe, a stronger growth-oriented community base. One of the most immediate things I can see happening locally on the job front, if Canadian companies are incentivized, is that new graduates can fill cultural voids acting as liaison for companies importing and exporting goods. Valuable international work experience like this will set the foundation for these young people in turn to start their own companies one day and hire and inspire other Canadians to follow.
As small an issue as this may seem, and as local a subject, I believe it is a very important one to address as it deals with the future of our nation's workforce. Canada needs to retain its talented youth and inspire them to lead the future. I ask members of this committee to keep this in mind, to see that the FTA is directed on good domestic policies reflecting the best interests of our local businesses and jobs and also encouraging entrepreneurs to foster new business opportunities.
Thank you.