In his recent State of The Union Address, President Obama challenged our nation to move forward with a new vision—one which furthers the American ingenuity that has been a pillar to the success of our great nation. Hence, the theme for World Trade Week 2011 creates a new path—Promoting Global Competitiveness.
California is clearly the center of international trade, and Southern California is the home to the largest port complex in the nation. The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach combined are the world’s sixth busiest complex. Cargo volume in these two ports peaked in 2006 at 15.8 million TEU’s. The collapse of the housing market in 2007 and the economic downturn in 2008 resulted in the ports' volumes reduced by 25 percent to 11.8 million TEU’s in 2009. However, today the ports are leading the way to economic recovery, volumes have jumped 19 percent for the two ports to 14.1 million TEU’s, a recovery that most experts did not forecast one year ago.
In addition, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the 13th busiest cargo airport in the world, and is a key global transportation gateway, especially to Asia-Pacific and Latin America. In 2010, LAX processed more than 59 million passengers and handled 1.9 million tons of air cargo valued at nearly $83 billion.
To further our ability to compete in today’s global world, we must place a priority on the issue of our State’s trade infrastructure. There must be a mandate for efficient and sustainable transportation systems, both with regard to our seaports and airports. All of the aforementioned cargo transportation modes are key to furthering our global competitiveness. On this note, implementation of a national freight policy is critical.
Promoting competitiveness in international trade is not a new concept in California, however, today this dialogue is a necessary and paramount concept to further. California economy is considered the eight largest economy in the world. This feat achieved by the vision of our leaders of yesterday (and today) like Gov. Edmond G. Brown Jr. with his policies expansion of our transportation infrastructure, and Mayor Tom Bradley’s “Project World City” furthering Los Angeles as a major trade stakeholder in the Pacific Rim. The vision for creating infrastructure to complement international trade led to implementation of state of the art intermodal transportation project—The Alameda Corridor.
Our leaders of today must further a vision for our leaders of tomorrow. Global competitiveness requires implementation of 21st century technology and an education system, which not only furthers innovative technology, but also prepares a workforce second to none in the global community. Our history reveals that our great nation evolved to be an economic world power subsequent to an industrial revolution which implemented new technology and business models. Today, I suggest we have the second coming of the industrial revolution—the creation of innovative technology and infrastructure which will promote global competitiveness.
It is an honor to chair World Trade Week for 2011. This year shows greater promise for economic recovery, and I, along with my fellow committee members, will further the theme of Promoting Global Competitiveness. I appeal to all the stakeholders in the international trade community to come together and not only support and celebrate World Trade Week, but also to formulate the vision of tomorrow. One that maximizes 21st century infrastructure and technology to compete in a globalized economy.
Mario Cordero
World Trade Week Chair
Port of Long Beach Commissioner
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