Traditionally, we haven’t put much thought into the value of exporting our services. Instead, we’ve focused on exporting our natural resources and the products made from them. However, the tradable services sector comprises a broad and exciting range of economic activities that provide major opportunities for BC and its principle urban regions. Service exports can be of very high value and could help to diversify the BC export base—both in terms of the mix of products and services we export and the diversity of markets into which we sell.
These services could be very valuable to our 2020 economy and its export base if we acknowledge their potential and develop suitable provincial and regional policies to foster their growth and long-term viability. In addition, service exports are environmentally sustainable and can be organized with a minimal ecological footprint.
The discussion in this paper has sought to raise awareness about tradable services, their diversity, and the opportunities that exist for BC to trade them nationally and internationally. We are already highly successful in selling many of these services across Canada and globally. Now we need to broaden the range of the services we sell, while also developing better data sources so we can measure our progress in seizing these opportunities.
Michael A. Goldberg is an emeritus professor and former dean of the Sauder School of Business at UBC. Kerri Brkich is the manager of Public Affairs for the ICABC. SUV rental Salt Lake City
