Vancouver

Economy

Forestry, fishing, mines, and minerals have been Vancouver's dominant resource-based industries for decades. Today, the city's world-class port and proximity to Asia situates Vancouver as Canada's gateway for goods imported from Asia. Vancouver has been the leader in British Columbia's focus on trade with Pacific Rim nations. Its lead role was set in stone when the city hosted the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) in 1997.

The port is one of North America's busiest in terms of volume of foreign cargo. It exports more than 64 million metric tons (70 million tons) and imports more than nine million metric tons (10 million tons) each year. The harbor is also the leading dry-cargo port on the Pacific Coast shipping grain, coal, potash, sulfur, asbestos, metals, and other Western Canadian materials, such as wood and wood by-products.

Tourism, the world's fastest growing industry, has become a major force in the economy since Vancouver hosted the World Expo in 1986. Now, millions of visitors from all over the world flock to the city each year to enjoy its vibrant culture and natural beauty.

Most head offices for province-wide business activity, and financial institutions are located in Vancouver. Vancouver is also home to a thriving motion picture business, which has earned the nickname of Hollywood North.

Vancouver's high technology sector is strong but lags behind that of other major Canadian cities. Greater Vancouver is the largest manufacturing center in British Columbia.