The B.C. Small Business Accord, being developed to make it easier for businesses to do business, will be the focus of a presentation to be given by Naomi Yamamoto, Minister of State for Small Business, at a Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce networking roundtable event from 2-4 p.m. Jan. 21 at the Westerly.

Yamamoto will focus on the next steps in government's ongoing work regarding regulatory reform. The accord is intended to provide guidance to government to ensure the proper tools, support and regulations are developed to make B.C. one of the most business-friendly jurisdictions in the country.

"The Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce, along with the B.C. Chamber of Commerce, recognizes small business as a key driver of job creation and economic growth in B.C. and we are in full support of the B.C. Small Business Accord," said Comox Valley Chamber president and CEO Dianne Hawkins. "Small business is a key economic driver in this province, as 98 per cent of businesses are small business, providing 56 per cent of all private sector jobs and employing more than one million people.

"We are pleased that the government is engaging small businesses and their community partners and feel that the process will be valuable in developing the accord and in forming the priorities of the new Minister of State for Small Business. This initiative is building on the efforts of the Small Business Roundtable, the Action Plan for Small Business and the Regulatory Reform Branch."

The public is welcome to attend the lunch. Pre-registration is mandatory. Advance tickets are $15 plus for chamber members and $20 for prospective members. Refreshments will be served. Visit www.ComoxValleyChamber.com. Click 'News and Events' to pre-register.

For more information, call 250-334-3234.