Asia Pacific

Your Export Opportunity

As a small business owner, the opportunities for growth in Asia Pacific markets are endless. Currently, less than two per cent of small businesses in British Columbia export their goods and services. If your business is succeeding in local markets, exporting may be your next step.

To prepare your business for exporting, browse this site or download Asia Pacific: A Small Business Guide to Exporting. For assistance, call TradeStart at 1 866 926-5545 or 604 775-5601.

Why Export to Asia Pacific Markets?

The Asia-Pacific region offers a range of export opportunities within easy access of British Columbia. This region includes some of the largest and most dynamic markets not directly tied to the United States economy.

• China is poised to surpass the U.S. in terms of market size by the year 2020 and become the world's largest economy.
• India has a middle class ten times the size of the Canadian population and is set to become the world's third largest economy by 2020.
• Japan remains the third largest economy in the world and is B.C.'s most important trade partner outside North America.
• Korea is a developed and dynamic economy with strengths in technology, manufacturing and knowledge-based services.
• Of the Southeast Asian economies, the Philippines has been the most welcoming to foreign investment, aiming to become the region's e-services hub.
• Since the late 1980s, Singapore has served as a regional headquarters hub, emerging as a dynamic and innovative economy.

Your British Columbia Advantage

• British Columbia is Canada's only province bordering the Pacific Ocean and is strategically positioned as a global hub for trade between Asia and North America.
• B.C.'s shipping system provides the shortest route between North America and the Asia Pacific with a 58-hour transport lead over other West Coast ports. Container traffic to all west coast ports is forecast to rise a staggering 300% by 2020.
• 570,000 British Columbians - 14 per cent of the population - were born in Asia and many of these citizens posses a strong entrepreneurial spirit along with direct cultural and business ties to Asia.
• The Province of British Columbia has launched the Asia Pacific Initiative. As part of this, the province has committed $40 million over three years to strengthen B.C.'s trade, investment and cultural links with Asia; $30 million toward the expansion of the Port of Prince Rupert; and has established the Asia Pacific Business Centre to connect B.C. businesses with opportunities in Asian markets.

Funding for development of this site was provided by the Province of British Columbia as part of the provincial government's Asia Pacific Initiative.