BC Exports To Pacific Rim Hit Record High
Prince George, B.C. – The increasing value of British Columbia’s economic ties to Asia and the Pacific Rim was underscored in last Friday’s year-end export numbers.
Goods shipped to China and South Korea hit record levels and, for the first time, export levels to the Pacific Rim outstripped those to the United States. B.C.’s total exports grew 14.2 per cent to $32.8 billion in 2011.
Exports to key Asian markets identified in ‘Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan’ were up considerably in 2011. Last year, B.C.’s exports to China reached $5.1 billion, an increase of 24 per cent from 2010 – and a 442 per cent increase since 2001. Goods shipped to Japan rose by 12 per cent to $4.7 billion last year, while those to South Korea were up by 45 per cent to $2.7 billion. Exports to India rose by 49 per cent to $201 million.
In 2011, the value of exports destined for the Pacific Rim was 43 per cent, up from 36 per cent in 2009. This represents the first time that export levels to the Pacific Rim were higher than those to the United States (42.7 per cent).
The BC Jobs Plan builds on the province’s increasing trade with Asia by focusing on opening and expanding markets for B.C. goods in key markets such as China, Japan, South Korea, and India, and making smart investments in the infrastructure that will help get B.C. goods to market. In the past year, the government has doubled B.C.’s international trade presence and made strategic investments in the province’s port infrastructure.
After analyzing national numbers, energy products topped the list, closely followed by forestry. Energy exports accounted for 31 per cent of all exports and were worth $10 billion, an increase of 25 per cent. The forestry sector continued its strong recovery, shipping $9.9 billion of solid wood and pulp and paper products in 2011, an increase of nine per cent. The export of metallic mineral products jumped by 11.6 per cent to $3.5 billion.
Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation, says "The end-of-year export numbers are very heartening as they validate the approach we have adopted in our Jobs Plan with its focus on Asia. The U.S. remains a vital market for B.C. goods – but it is clear from these numbers that the greatest opportunities for growth will be concentrated in Asia, particularly China. Through increased trade with Asia, we are seeing new jobs being created and new investment in every region of the province."
The top five markets for British Columbia’s exports of goods in 2011 were:
United States: $14 billion – 5.4 per cent increase
China/Hong Kong: $5.1 billion – 24 per cent increase
Japan: $4.7 billion – 11.7 per cent increase
South Korea: $2.7 billion – 45 per cent increase
European Union: $2.3 billion – 14.6 per cent increase
Comments
Time for Adrian Dix to come out and shoot holes in this report.Has to be able to find something negative about these increases.
Forgot to add he is going to do so much better.Right.
I was just looking at the CANSIM data on the StsCan site which only goes up to 2008, but is available on the net at now cost from 1997 to 2008.
So, one can select quite a bit of detail.
With respect to international trade it provides total imports and exports of good and sevices for each province. So I compared BC, Alberta and Ontario. Over that time period.
To me it tells me we have increased the percentage and the total amount of services at a faster rate than goods.
We have a considerable deficit in international trade and it has been growing worse based on the figures.
Due to the oil, Alberta, of course has a vast surplus in international trade of goods.
The figures in this media release tell us about the switch from one market to the other. It does not tell us the story about total exports, nor the more important story about net export of goods … which is negative up to and including 2008 ….
Nor does it tell us how we are doing with our key provincial competitors – Ontario and Alberta.
Considering that we have been exporting to these countries for years and years, I dont see how anyone could take credit for the increase except for those importers who buy more because they need the product, and those exporters who sell because they have the product.
The Government has very little to do with any of this. All the goods exported are from commercial business’s. This is what we do.
The next thing you know the Government will try to get credit for the Cherry Crop in the Southern Interior. The Cranberry Crop in the lower mainland, etc; etc;
For God sake Palopu. The government is reporting out, period. If people want to see it as a PR stunt, then let them if they are stupid enough and have nothing else to do.
I think it is interesting to know that our markets are shifting. I think it is interesting to see that like the best merchants, they can adjust with the changing times. Governments have the data. You of all people ought ot understand that. Or maybe you want the info in separate little blurbs from Canfor and the like?
That being said, I am interested in the info in the report, but it is not enough. It is a slice for a single purpose.
And yes, why should government not pat themselves on the shoulder when something works. It really does not matter whether it is NPD, BCLiberals, Federal Conservatives, the Green Party, Christian Democratic Union, or whoever the heck is in power.
Take it for what it is. Information that is important right now because the chit has been kicked out of our southern neighbour and the past reliance on practically every province in this country on being a user of our goods and services has had to be shifted, mostly so in provinces relying as heavily as we do on lumber.
Mr Bell speaks of âvery hearteningâ year-end numbers for exporting our natural recourses and it is all part of the BC Liberalsâ Jobs Plan. These are big numbers â Billions of dollars from the exports of our natural resourcesâ. I find his rainbows and unicorn statements to be rather âdishearteningâ when we look at the reality within our Province. If we are doing so well where are the benefits to our Province? Continually we hear from Mr Bell and his ilk that there is no money for Education, Healthcare, Seniors Care or Community Living. We have the highest rates of child poverty in the country, cases dismissed because of unjust delays because our Justice system is in underfunded and this list grows almost daily. Yet he claims it is raining Millions and Billions in our Province. No, I would say that all these âmillions and billionsâ we are reaping in exports is nothing but sunshine that Mr. Bell is blowing up our backsides because the majority of British Columbians have not seen any significant increase in their quality of life. Until government deals with this regressive taxation system, all Mr. Bell will ever have to offer us is more useless fluff about how well the trickledown effect is really working for him and his corporate friends.
Those billions go to find health care, education, and social services, most of which the costs of providing have skyrocketed over the years.
Health care already eats the lion’s share of the provincial budget and it is going to get a lot more expensive very soon as the boomers age.
Hang on! It’s going to be a bumpy ride.
“year-end numbers for exporting our natural recourses”
Actually they are not all naturasl resources. They are total goods.
Here is at least one of the missing oparts of the overview of how well are we doing.
From CANSIM database
Goods international exports from BC
1997$24.23billion
1998$23.29billion
1999$26.55billion
2000$31.44billion
2001$29.73billion
2002$26.11billion
2003$25.86billion
2004$29.23billion
2005$31.30billion
2006$31.50billion
2007$30.06billion
2008$30.31billion
2009n/a
2010n/a
2011$32.80billion
That is a 25.1% percent increase from 1997 to 2008 and 35.4% to 2011
Here are the figures for services exports over the same period.
1997$9.58billion
1998$10.48billion
1999$11.02billion
2000$12.27billion
2001$12.80billion
2002$12.85billion
2003$12.94billion
2004$13.76billion
2005$14.83billion
2006$15.37billion
2007$15.88billion
2008$15.98billion
2009n/a
2010n/a
2011n/a
That is a 66.8%increase from 1997 to 2008. To me, that is the bigger story. I would love to see the last three years.
In case you are wondering about Alberta.
1997 – $29.3 billion goods internstional exports
2008 – $98.0 billion
for a 234.1% increase …. there you go …. the petro dollar as presented to you by our good neighbours next door …..
Wonder if the NDP or BCConservatives have an oil drilling plan in their back pocket….. LOL
Just in case anyone was wondering how the blue eyed scheiks were doing in this time of increasing oil costs….. last nights news from he US of A … expect prices to go to $5/US gallon in the next 3 to 4 months.
And how is Ontari-ari-o doin’?
1997 $135.8 billion in goods
2008 $156.7 billion in goods
for a 15.4% increase
Mr Bell speaks of âvery hearteningâ year-end numbers for exporting our natural recourses and it is all part of the BC Liberalsâ Jobs Plan. These are big numbers â Billions of dollars from the exports of our natural resourcesâ. I find his rainbows and unicorn statements to be rather âdishearteningâ when we look at the reality within our Province. If we are doing so well where are the benefits to our Province? Continually we hear from Mr Bell and his ilk that there is no money for Education, Healthcare, Seniors Care or Community Living. We have the highest rates of child poverty in the country, cases dismissed because of unjust delays because our Justice system is in underfunded and this list grows almost daily. Yet he claims it is raining Millions and Billions in our Province. No, I would say that all these âmillions and billionsâ we are reaping in exports is nothing but sunshine that Mr. Bell is blowing up our backsides because the majority of British Columbians have not seen any significant increase in their quality of life. Until government deals with this regressive taxation system, all Mr. Bell will ever have to offer us is more useless fluff about how well the trickledown effect is really working for him and his corporate friends.
Mr Bell speaks of âvery hearteningâ year-end numbers for exporting our natural recourses and it is all part of the BC Liberalsâ Jobs Plan. These are big numbers â Billions of dollars from the exports of our natural resourcesâ. I find his rainbows and unicorn statements to be rather âdishearteningâ when we look at the reality within our Province. If we are doing so well where are the benefits to our Province? Continually we hear from Mr Bell and his ilk that there is no money for Education, Healthcare, Seniors Care or Community Living. We have the highest rates of child poverty in the country, cases dismissed because of unjust delays because our Justice system is in underfunded and this list grows almost daily. Yet he claims it is raining Millions and Billions in our Province. No, I would say that all these âmillions and billionsâ we are reaping in exports is nothing but sunshine that Mr. Bell is blowing up our backsides because the majority of British Columbians have not seen any significant increase in their quality of life. Until government deals with this regressive taxation system, all Mr. Bell will ever have to offer us is more useless fluff about how well the trickledown effect is really working for him and his corporate friends.
Saying something three times does not increase its validity.
Mr. Bell:
Thankyou for doing what you’ve done. And keep doing it. I for one appreciate the work of hard working MLA’s. Congrats.
gus…I’ll have to side with Palopu on this.
This government takes credit for everything, and as much as I would like to feel different about it,I don’t trust anything they say or put on paper.
I also suspect Pat Bell is a master of politicial double speak.
It seems at times he would have us believe he singlehandedly created the asian market for the forest industry.
Not so.
The Liberals are working very hard at re-selling themselves before 2013 and it isn’t looking good.
That makes me a sceptic.
Everything they/Bell says is a feel good,aren’t we wonderful,warm,fuzzy announcement.
One would think Bell singlehandedly runs the government!
These exports are, as Palopu says,from commercial businesses…I fail to see what that has to do with the B.C.Liberals?
Are they counting raw logs in the list?
We’re pretty sure that has increased!
I guess I will have to give the B.C.Liberals and Pat Bell full credit for that!
Gus. My point is that when the Government releases this information they should not be taking credit for it. They did not make it happen. They should give credit, where it is due. ie; to the corporations and the employees who work for them.
Its much like a recent report in a local paper that made much about Prince George being a transportation hub. McEwen and others of his ilk, were taking credit for this. Fact of the matter is, Prince George has been a transportation and distribution hub, since 1915. The last major addition to this hub was the road from Pr George to McBride which was built in the mid 60’s.
The completion of Highway 16 to Edmonton for all intents and purposes killed of Highway 97 North (Hart Highway) insofar as commercial traffic was concerned.
The purchasing of the BC Rail by CN Rail killed off the BC Rail Intermodal Division, and in additon seriously reduced the number of trains that run from Prince George to North Vancouver.
The Runway Expansion has done nothing to increase flights, or cargo at the PG Airport, and we continue to handle less cargo there now than we did in the 70’s and 80’s.
The containers to Prince Rupert carry the same tonnage that used to go to Vancouver via Rail or Truck.
With the closure of two major coal mines in Tumbler Ridge we have had a 50% or more reduction in coal through Pr Rupert.
There have been a least 10 Major lumber companies shut down in the past 10/15 years.
All the major warehouses that used to be located in Prince George are now operating out of Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary.
So how can we have the local yokels taking credit for Prince George being a transportation hub, when the activity through that hub has decreased considerably in the past 10/15 years.??
“These exports are, as Palopu says,from commercial businesses…I fail to see what that has to do with the B.C.Liberals?”
Tell you what, when the Managers of Shopping Centres like Pine Centre provide their annual reports to thier share holders, the businesses that reside in those malls are the ones whose business success or failure is agglomerated into the report.
It is a joint effort on the part of the shopping centre, to make the place attractive to businesses to move in, improver their facilities when they need to and to make it comfortable for the various publics to shop at the centre.
Sometimes it takes a lot of money to attract stores, to retain stores and even to remove stores.
I would be the last one to deny that the stores are not playing a major part in how well the mall is doing. However, without leadership of a mall, those in larger urban centres would not survive just as a group of stores occupying the space.
We have the Pine Centre, Westgate, Spruceland, Parkwood, the Hart, all capable of being in the running to be the best of the malls when it comes to gross sales per square foot. However, they are not all there.
So, you might want to rethink your notion about whart provincial governments do and what they do not do on the national scene and in the last few decades on the international scene.
And if you do not think that large metropolitan areas have been in that same game for some time, then you really have not been very observant.
So, I really do not care who is in charge at any given time. All I care about it that whover it is, they know what theoir job is, what part they play. When they let thier guard down, we suffer because of it.
It is time to get rid of this partisan BS and support anyone who is willing to take on the world and win.
“They did not make it happen”
That is your opinion. It is not an accepted fact.
If that were true, why would we bother to vote?
“The last major addition to this hub was the road from Pr George to McBride”
Think it through, Palopu. When that connection was made, the hub became Edmonton and some of the province’s purchases shifted from Vancouver to Edmonton and even Calgary in part.
So, you got your notions of hub a bit confused.
I think most people would agree that Goverments other than giving grant money to various industries for dubious projects, are in fact an impediment to business’s and to the ability of the every day citizens to get the job done.
The only thing that Governments produce on a regular basis is *red tape*. I cannot begin to go into detail to list all of their incompetant projects.
They certainly have a place in society, however it seems they dont understand where that is. Not one of them with the possible exception of the City of Missisauga has been able to operate without getting us into serious debt. The latest news out on Ontario is that if they do not deal with their debt very quickly they will be in the same situation as Greece by 2020.
Stumbling around making assinine announcements to try to get your numbers up in the polls, or get ready for the next election, is not necessarily action that is condusive to good Government.
It is and always has been an accepted fact that the smaller the Government the better the Government. We are now faced with a huge overload of Government. Ie; Federal, Provincial, Municipal, Regional, along with other Government entities that operate under the guise of being independent of Government but are in fact just another Government department. We have approx 23 of those, such as ICBC, BC Ferries, BC Hydro, and on, and on, and on.
I get a little upset with this constant supporting of a Government that does not give a chit about any of us. They are for all intents and purposes self centered to the extreme.
They are best discribed by the British TV shows **Mr Minister** and Monty Phyphons Flying Circus. In one *Monty* show, they had a skit on Government and the Ministry of funny walks. Naturally the Minister walked funny. Summed it up quite well I thought.
Insofar as Bell or Bond go. We have in excess of 15000 people who voted to get rid of the HST, and since the vote we havent heard one word from our representatives about when we are going to get rid of this tax. Nor are they as our representative doing anything about it.
I dont give a chit about exports of lumber, etc; this has been going on for years. I do care about health care, line ups at hospital emergencys, cases getting thrown out of court because of delays,a serious backlog of people who require surgery, and other treatment, and a recinding of the HST.
I hardly consider being taxed to the limit by an incompetant Government as being good Government.
http://www.daniels.utoronto.ca/files/marcel_smets.pdf
BTW, if one refers only to hubs, one is limiting themselves in the discussion that needs to happen with respect to the real topic – transportation networks.
Transfer points, nodes, hubs and the links which connect them, including the various transportation modalities. They are all integrated.
Change a transportation modality from water to road, and a new hierarchy is born.
Change it from road to rail, and another one is born.
In my day, we have seen the change from rail hubs based on the transportation of farm/ranch products which were paralleled in Chicago and Winnipeg to air hubs which saw the phenomenal growth of such cities as Atlanta, which is now the main air hub in the USA and is continuing to outpace Chicago.
Anytime one provides additional links to the netâs nodes and hubs, the equilibrium shifts and notions of win win is typically out the window for many in the net.
“I think most people would agree that Goverments other than giving grant money to various industries for dubious projects, are in fact an impediment to business’s and to the ability of the every day citizens to get the job done.”
A nice statement, but where is the fact? As you say, “you think”. That is about as far as you go.
Where are the “most people located?
On opinion 250? You may be right. In Prince George? You would have to show me some indicators that MOST people think that way.
BC? I doubt it. Canada, I doubt it. Europe? No way.
Gus. I know how the transportatin industry works, my point is that we are now and have always been a transportation hub, and distribution point for the Northern Part of the Province. To-day somewhat less than 20 years ago.
IPG is trying to take credit for a situation that was developed over the past 100 years. If IPG never existed, we would have the same transportation and distribtion system.
Re printing statistics from other websites, and making assinine comments in the press is about all they have done for the City of Prince George. If they all left to-morrow, there would not be a ripple anywhere in the business community.
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