New economy sectors participate in export boom Canadian economic growth in the 1990s is being fueled by an export boom. Sales abroad have grown an outstanding 60 per cent over the past three years and knowl- edge-based sectors are among the most pro- mising for the future, “Canada is exceptionally competitive in many of the industries, particularly telecom- munications and computer equipment and that’ 3 reflected in our export. performance,”. said Jim Olts, chief economist at the Export Development Corporation. Here are some hot sectors for Canadian exporters: Information Technology and Telecommunications These sectors employ 300,000 people in Canada and Canadian companies are extremely ‘competitive in the $1-trillion world market where they export more than 70 per cent of their annual output, Already worth $40 billion to the economy, information technologies and telecommuni- cations are growing at a rate of more than seven per cent a year, according to Royal Bank statistics. In 1995, total exports of computers and peripherals was worth almost $6.8 billion while the telecommunications industry gen- erated $2.8 billion in export sales. Growth in the information technology and- telecommunications sectors is expected to accelerate as the power of computers contin- ues to double every 18 months and a whole range of new telecommunications technolo- gies flourish. Aerospace Canada has built the world’s sixth largest aerospace industry and growth prospects in coming years are impressive. Since 1988 Canadian exports of helicopters have tripled while exports of fixed wing air- craft and engines have increased by 75 per cent and 20 per cent respectively. Sales of Canadian aerospace products abroad exceeded $8 billion in 1995 and the industry expects that to grow by 55 per cent | by the end of the century. Services Business and professional services rank second after automotive goods among Canada’s worldwide exports. . About 60 per cent of all Canadian services _ exports are to the U.S. market and.with ‘the continuing North American trend towards a services driven econamy, it is expected to be one of the main growth sectors, the Foreign Affairs Department says. Canadian services companies are expected to perform well in sub-sectors such as engi- neering, the environment, geomatics, archi- tecture and interior design, financial services and consulting in finance, health care and management. Biotechnology and Agrifood — The Canadian biotech industry. is growing rapidly and there are now over 200 compa- nies operating in the field. It is‘a $1.7-billion industry in Canada with approximately 65 per cent of companies exporting their tech- nology. Growth to the year 2000 is expected toberobust. = A key to growth for many companies in the sector is to enter into partnership agree- - ments especially with large foreign-owned pharmaceutical companies to: finance research and development costs. - The establishment of new funds for financing research such as the Canadian Medical Discoveries Fund and the Neuroscience Partners Fund is good news for smaller players in the industry. The agrifood industry is hoping to increase exports to $20 billion by the year 2000, a 50. per cent increase over the 1993 lev- el, by tapping the U.S. market for high-value added products and diversifying into big growth areas like Asia and Latin America, The fastest, most efficient service possible.”’ That's how Kalurm Tire manager Blair Pylot describes the work done by his five mechanics. If you want a tire changed, you'll do the least amount of waiting at Kalum Tire. But that doesn't mean they only do tires. The Friemndiy Advice store pravides full service mechanical work to all makes and models. And on the retail side Kalum | Tire stocks a wide rarige of automotive parts —.eve-. iiig rything from seat covers to brake lights. And plenity - of tires of course. Kalum Tire has been in Terrace for over 30 years, and since their renovations in 1990 have expanded - the business to include passenger vehicles as well as heavy trucks and commercial repairs. Now Kalu Tire specializes in vehicle inspections, propane and natural gas conversions, as well as full service mechanical work. You can bring your vehicie in from 8 a.m, to 6 a.m. fram Manday to Saturday. Katum Tire & Automotive Service Lid. 4808 HWY 16 TERRACE, BC 635-4902 | Think of AL-C's Glass as the little big guy. That's because they're the small business that’s big on service. *“Ta see a smile on the customer's face is a real goal," says Sharlene Closter. Sharlene and her husband Doug, a qualified plazier since 1977, started AL-C’s five years ago. ““We aim for bath goad service and product excellence,'' she says. - ALC's sells top quality windows for businesses, new homes, and renovations — Including a window specially designed for mobile homes. Of course, all those windows meet BC Hydro’s stringent Power Smart standards for energy efficiency. And they're quality- made too, by Berdick Windows out of Penticton. AL-C's is also an authorized ICBC vendor for all facets of vehi- cle glass — everything from cars and trucks to off road machines and equipment. “"We'ill even go out to a site if need be," says Sharlene. Watch for AL-C's new look, as the shop undergoes renovations to make customers feel even more at home. Doug Closter AL-C’S GLASS LTD. 638-8001 3720 River Drive, Terrace An Eye For Detail An eye for detail and future trends is whal keeps Terrace g Interiors a highly respected name in the interior home decoration business. Owner/operator Marilyn Dah! took over the operation from her father, who slarted the business in 1960. He branched out on his own after managing a building supply store here. Now, 36 years later, the market has grown dramatically, the number of suppliers has increased significantly, but Terrace Interiors remains well known for quality supplies, advice and service. Marilyn operates the store along with son Ron and daughter-in-law Jackie, : They carry paint, wallpaper, cabinel hardwara, drapes and blinds, and virtually any olher supplies for interior decorating. Marilyn says she invests a lot of effort in keeping on lop at what's new and what her customers are going to want — before they want it. “The customer and service is first,” she says. They're renovaling the stare right now and panto to be be taking on on another line of Fat not available in the area right now. The name says it all. Sight & Sound has been setting trends for 35 years ~- from basic televisions to home theatres, from tapes to compact discs, portable slerecs to full-tilt sound systems, from cameras and accessories to photo-finishing. Check aut the selection al two, locations -- a Skeena Mall anda Keith-Avenue store. Between them you'll find television sereens from 9. to 55. inches, VCRs and camcorders of all kinds and sizes, and sound systems tosuit any ear. The Skeena Mall oullet offers one-hour photo- finishing-and a wide range of tapes and CDs. The Keith Avenue store. features a home theatre demonstration room, where you can experience the latest technology firsthand. Sight & Sound also offers car stereo installation. ee .... At both locations, you'll find a, friendly, knowledgable staff ite) help you gat the best value out of your purchase, Here’s Danise McCann,Store Manager, one of the faces you'll see on hand at Sight & Sound, Skeena Mall SIGHT<@ SOUND 635-4948 Ballet in The Northwest Watching young dancers develop ond grow is the best por of the business for ballet teacher Laura Archibald. Sha opened the Flynn School of Bollet just over a yeor ago, and now hos approximately 80 young students reg- istered, up 30 from last year. “‘It's just awesome to see them gel betler and betler,” says Lauro. She grew up in Terrace, and moved away to become certified by the Royal Academy of Dance. Then sha retuned here to open.a dance school, ““IfS gone beyond my expectations,” she says. She's porticularly happy. abaut being able to hire o quolified jazz teacher, something she didn't plon on doing for years. And she’s got big plans for her students including tok- ing them te Prince George for a dance’ festival during spring break. As well os providing the girls with competition experience, it will be a greal worm up for the Pacific MW Music Festival in April. Laura has o tot of work to do between now and then, including choreographing solo dances for almost! every stutlent. But there's nothing else she'd rather be doing. FLYNN SCHOOL OF BALLET 3226A River Dr., Terrace Director: LAURA ARCHIBALD Call 638-2077 Moped Lntomny of Mecetny Smiles and Relaxed | Atmosphere It’s not just the wide selection that makes Central Gifts synonymous with quality gifts and collect- ables in Terrace. It's the sunny smiles and relaxed atmosphere that makes customers fee] more like friends and family. Owner Sharalyn Palagian is often asked when she's going to open a store in Prince Rupert. “My answer is that | want to keep the business the size itis so | can continue to spend as much time as possible here with the cus- tomer,” she said. ““Peopte like to come in because they're comfortable." That approach has clearly heen a successful one. Sharalyn was named busi- ness executive of the year — the youngest éver honoured with that award — two years ago. Her commitment to the community is demonstrated by her active involvement with the Terrace and District Chamber of Commerce: first vice-president this year and will be the Chamber's pres- dent in 1997, “When other businesses thrive so does yours," she says. Central Gifts’ staff are also key to her success, “No business is success- ful just because the owner spends time there,’! she says. ““| have absolutely the best staff in the world.” 106-47 16 Lazelle Ave, 635-3334