Port Metro Vancouver (PMV) is welcoming plans, announced early this week, for Canada and Japan to launch negotiations for a free-trade agreement between the two countries.
“Japan is one of Port Metro Vancouver’s top three trading partners, representing more than 10% of total volume through Canada’s largest gateway,” said PMV president and CEO Robin Silvester.
“The trading relationship between Canada and Japan is vital to long-term growth and prosperity.”
Japan is PMV’s fourth largest import economy and second largest export economy. In 2011, top export cargoes to Japan, by volume, included metallurgical coal, grain, specialty crops and forest products. Top import cargoes to Canada included vehicles and auto parts, household goods and electronics.
Forestry groups have also voiced strong support for a free trade agreement between Canada and Japan. (See “Forestry groups welcome push for free trade deal with Japan” – BIV Business Today, March 27.)
