Nearly 40 years ago, on its first night of continuous operation, FedEx delivered 186 packages to 25 U.S. cities. Today, we give people and businesses in 220 countries and territories access to each other, changing what’s possible for billions of people.

FedEx is a tireless advocate for Access and the opportunities that come with it. Access drives positive change. We know this because we study it. Our company has become a student of Access, analyzing its impact on everything from global corporations to remote villages.

In 2005, FedEx commissioned the nonprofit research firm SRI International to define the drivers and benefits of Access. Data on 22 variables were collected on 75 countries, and the Access Index™ was born. The Access Index ranks the countries that have gained the most from improved access to ideas, talent and resources. This landmark study of Access established an analytical framework to quantify the impact of Access on people, businesses and nations. SRI International updated the Access Index in 2008, expanding the research to include 109 counties.

This research consistently shows that Access has a measurable, positive effect on quality of life for individuals, on the success of businesses large and small and on the economic health and growth of nations. There is clearly a strong connection between Access and human well-being.

FedEx is deepening its study of Access through its collaboration with the Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy’s Environmental Sustainability Index. The Index, introduced in 2006, assesses the effectiveness of the environmental policies of 133 nations. This year, FedEx is supporting additional research that will investigate the connection between a nation’s environmental performance and the actions it takes to increase its Access to other countries and economies. The results of that study will be released later this year.

FedEx also works to remove barriers to free trade and investment around the world. With the help of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Commercial Service, FedEx has developed a trade mission program that helps businesses connect with industry leaders and government officials in emerging markets so they can grow their business and expand their workforce. Participants share best practices, develop market-entry strategies and learn how to best tap into growth opportunities around the world.

In 2008 and 2009, FedEx and the U.S. Commercial Service conducted missions to India and Turkey; missions to Mexico, Brazil and China are in the works. This year, the partnership brought a delegation of U.S. businesses to Europe for a Green Industries Trade Mission, aimed at helping businesses enter the thriving global marketplace of sustainable products, services and innovations.

Access creates markets, invents new business models and accelerates innovation. FedEx always works to lower the barriers that separate any society from rest of the world.