Hello. I'm Ed Fast, Canada's Minister of International
Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway.
The Asia-Pacific Gateway was announced by our government
in 2006 because we recognized Canada's west coast
as a key gateway to North America.
Working with other levels of government
and the private sector we have strategically invested
over $1.4 billion dollars.
This has made Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway one of the
world's premier transportation systems by ensuring goods can
be moved faster and more easily between Asia and North America.
With over 60% of Canada's GDP generated by trade
and with one in five jobs dependant on trade,
our government is committed to deepening Canada's trading
relationships in high-growth markets
especially those in the Asia Pacific region.
Increasing Canada's ties with the Asia-Pacific economies will
bring more jobs and opportunity and greater prosperity
to hard-working Canadians in every region of our country.
Canada is a trading nation.
Moving products, resources and people
in and out of the country efficiently is essential
to our economic well-being.
In recent years we've made unprecedented investments in
expanding and modernizing our gateways and trade corridors.
The result: we've made it easier for you to move
your goods between North America and Asia.
Canada's "Asia Pacific Gateway and Corridor" is your gateway
to business opportunities throughout North America.
It's a seamless integrated connection between
all transportation modes:
ports, airports, rail lines and road systems...
with a highly skilled workforce,
as well as modernized regulations and procedures,
that help move cargo quickly, securely and efficiently.
It's fast, reliable and cost-effective...
...giving you the edge on getting your products,
materials and resources to and from North America.
Our location between Asia and the United States makes the
Asia-Pacific Gateway the ideal entry point to one of the
largest free-trade zones in the world: ...more than
four-hundred million North American consumers and a
combined GDP of more than sixteen trillion dollars US.
Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor offers the most
direct marine route between Asia and North America.
For example, products shipped from Shanghai to Prince Rupert
arrive at the port two days earlier
than those shipped to Los Angeles.
By shipping to Vancouver from the same location,
you can save one day sailing-time over shipping
to Los Angeles.
And Canada's Pacific Gateway keeps shipments moving:
On-dock rail service allows for reduced transit time
for quick delivery, with direct and secure service
to Chicago and other major North American centres.
Dwell times at Port Metro Vancouver and the Port
of Prince Rupert are shorter than other North American
west coast ports.
Combined sailing and dwell time adds up to a savings of
four transit days for goods travelling to Chicago...
and this means cost savings for shippers and consumers.
Not only is Canada's Pacific Gateway and Corridor fast,
efficient and reliable, there's also growing capacity.
The ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert have a have
a combined capacity of three point six million TEU's.
Shipping by air?
Canada's airports connect Asia to the heartland
of North America.
Most of Canada's major airports are within a two-hour
drive of the US border with some
as close as thirty minutes.
Canada's well-coordinated transportation security,
border management, and emergency management programs
ensure goods get to their destination safely and securely.
The Governments of Canada and the United States continue
to work together to develop and manage unique programs
that facilitate cross-border travel and trade.
Canada wants your business.
We offer highly competitive tax and duty deferral regimes.
By Twenty-Twelve, Canada's corporate income tax rate
will be the lowest among G-Seven countries.
And Canada will be a tariff-free zone for
manufacturers by Twenty-Fifteen with the
elimination of all tariffs on manufacturing imports,
machinery, and equipment.
In today's just-in-time economy,
every minute and every dollar counts.
Canada's Asia Pacific Gateway and Corridor is all about
getting your goods to destination faster,
to save you time and money.
Efficient, secure, modern, reliable.
Put our Gateway to work for you.
Our integrated network of ports, railways,
highways and airports moves goods not only into Canada,
but also gives us access to the growing Asian economies.
In fact, since our west coast ports are up to two days closer
to Asian markets, resources and manufactured goods can make
their way more quickly and efficiently to markets where
they're needed the most.
The Asia- Pacific Gateway supports the growth of trade
and Canada's long term prosperity
and is your connection to new business opportunities
in these exciting markets.