An increase in copper shipments to Japan through the Port of Vancouver and additional daily flights from Tokyo through Vancouver International Airport highlight the a Pacific Gateway Alliance mission to Asia.
"Our message in Asia was received loud and clear: Canada's Pacific Gateway is a world-class transportation network with the most competitive port and supply chain system on the west coast of the Americas," said transportation and infrastructure minister Shirley Bond.
Bond led a 10-day trip, Nov. 1-10, with stops in Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong and Guangzhou.
They met with Asian companies committed to investing in B.C. business and who want to increase imports of natural resources to meet growing Asian demand.
For example, the Mitsubishi Materials Corporation of Japan owns 25 per cent of the Copper Mountain Mine Project. Copper Mountain's goal is to produce 100 million pounds of copper per year by mid-2011, employing up to 300 people and shipping through the Port of Vancouver.
The expansion of Tokyo's Haneda Airport, including new daily non-stop Air Canada flights beginning in January 2011, will bring more travellers through Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Each time an Asia Pacific air service lands at YVR, close to 800 hours of employment
are generated.
