Skilled labour, LNG price are main issues of concern in Asia: B.C. minister

DAEGU, South Korea – British Columbia’s deputy premier says the availability of skilled labour and the price of liquefied natural gas have become the major topics of concern among investors during his trip to Asia.

Rich Coleman, who is also the minister of natural gas development, is currently promoting the industry in South Korea and will move onto China and Malaysia for additional meetings.

He says he has already met with the proponents of five of the 10 projects proposed for the province and will meet with two more.

Coleman says some have questioned whether there will be enough skilled labour to build and operate the plants, but they now think B.C. can deal with the issue and are willing to work with the province.

He also says some proponents have raised concerns about the price of LNG, but the market, not government, will determine that issue.

Coleman says he hasn’t secured any new investment on the trip because he’s in Asia to help companies make the final decision to invest billions of dollars into the province.