Halifax positioning to be top eastern gateway

HALIFAX — The Halifax Gateway Council released its new five-year strategic plan focused on realizing the plan to make Halifax the preferred eastern trade gateway for North America.

The 2010-2015 Strategic Plan: Building the Halifax Gateway highlights the gateway’s role as a key hub for the movement of goods to and from the east coast of North America and the world.

"As a key component of Canada’s greater transportation system and network, improving the efficiency and competiveness of the Halifax Gateway will produce economic and social benefits for all of Canada," said Joyce Carter, Chair of the Halifax Gateway Council. "A more efficient gateway reduces costs and increases the competiveness of Canada’s exported goods, while an increase in imports creates jobs and business opportunities for Canadians.

The Port of Halifax, notes the report, creates over 11,000 jobs and $1.5 billion in economic impact, including $170 million in rail economic output, and $160 million from long-haul and regional trucking.

Over the next five years, the Council will focus on achieving five overarching goals:

— Ensuring the Halifax Gateway offers efficient transportation networks to meet shipping and travel needs; improving Gateway infrastructure; ensuring government policy helps minimize barriers to trade and travel; establishing the Halifax Gateway brand internationally; and coordinating with other gateway and business councils and organizations in supporting the enhancements.