Promotion of Regional Economic Integration by Developing APEC Gateway Port Connectivity

Given their proximity to major shipping lanes, urban population centers and major manufacturing centers, ports in the Asia-Pacific region are well connected and some of the biggest port terminals are in the Asia-Pacific Region. The performance of APEC’s ports and terminals is therefore a direct driver of the competitiveness of the APEC economies.

This study provides information on the underlying drivers of gateway port functions, and how such functions of a port can facilitate trade and promote economic growth. The best practices and development trends of gateway ports are reviewed, and their success factors and challenges are identified. Tools and indices to measure gateway port performance are discussed, and this discussion contributes to the recommendations of technical and political recommendations of developing gateway port functions.