The BC Trucking Association (BCTA) says the provincial government’s new strategy committing $25 billion to expanding Asian markets for BC products, along with further improvements to infrastructure to facilitate the fast, efficient movement of goods those markets will demand, shows BC’s commitment to the most significant economic expansion opportunity in a generation.
The trucking industry operates in close concert with the economy, so any investment that opens new markets and improves road, rail and terminal capacity in support represents a huge shot in the arm to BC businesses in this sector.
According to Louise Yako, BCTA’s President & CEO, the Province’s new Pacific Gateway Transportation Strategy is extremely welcome, “BCTA applauds the Province’s vision in pursuing opportunities in the Asia Pacific and providing support for the necessary infrastructure here. The strategies that the Province announced today – including a $700-million investment in increased capacity for key highways, additional investments in road and rail capacity, and increased container terminal capacity at BC ports – all open doors for BC carriers ready and willing to take part in this exciting opportunity.”
BCTA is looking at ways to assist the industry in preparing for the increased capacity that will result as market and infrastructure improvements get underway. On May 2, 2012, the Association hosts a one-day conference in Surrey for motor carriers with speakers from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Transport Canada, Port Metro Vancouver, local terminal operators, the Asia Pacific Gateway Skills Table, and others about Gateway trade.
Says Ms. Yako, “By 2020, Asia-Pacific container traffic to North America could generate $76 billion for BC and $230 billion for Canada. We’re working to support the industry in understanding what we’ll need in terms of people, equipment and systems to facilitate and benefit from this level of trade.”
