Why Exporting is Important
Expanding into international markets gives your company a chance to increase sales and profits through new contacts. Exporting also creates market diversification that helps offset sales when local markets fluctuate.
In the international marketplace, smaller firms can be just as effective as large corporations – and in some cases smaller firms have the advantage because they can serve niche markets.
Did You Know?
- China is poised to surpass the United States in terms of market size by the year 2020 and become the world's largest economy.
- India has a middle class 10 times the size of the Canadian population and is set to become the world's third largest economy by 2020.
- Japan is the third largest economy in the world today and is British Columbia's most important trade partner outside North America.
- Korea is a developed and dynamic economy with strengths in technology, manufacturing and knowledge-based services.
British Columbia’s Advantage
- British Columbia is Canada's only province bordering the Pacific Ocean and is strategically positioned as a global hub for trade between Asia, Europe and North America.
- British Columbia'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 quadruple by 2020.
B.C. Export Awards
Every year, the B.C. Export Awards recognize the innovative approaches and unique contributions of British Columbia export companies across all sectors and in all regions of the province, as well as the people who contribute to their success. For the 2010 winners and more information on the awards themselves, click here.