Strategic Forum: International trade central to growth in the city’s economy
Montréal International, the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal and Investissement Québec held the Strategic Forum Montréal: alive with the international this April 27, 2018.
International trade plays a central role in the Greater Montréal economy.
Over 500 participants gathered at the Palais des congrès de Montréal to propose concrete action to increase the city’s international connectedness when it comes to talent, capital, goods and services and digital data.
The event had as guests Philippe Couillard, Premier of Québec, and François Blais, Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity.
Allocution #ForumINTL : Le #Québec va mieux, est plus fort et en meilleure position, mais nous sommes conscients que nous évoluons dans un monde complexe, interdépendant et en constante évolution. #assnat #PolQc pic.twitter.com/gJeuiTq7Hj
— Philippe Couillard (@phcouillard) 27 avril 2018
“Greater Montréal is seeing an unprecedented technology boom that is attracting worldwide attention,” said Hubert Bolduc, president and CEO of Montréal International. “The marked increase in international trade clearly shows the importance of mobilizing and staying the course on our strategy to be open to the world. By attracting more international investment and talent, we will increase the standard of living for all Montrealers and Quebecers. And it is also the best response to the winds of protectionism that are blowing across the planet.”
“Today’s Forum showed that every time a local business exports, a foreign subsidiary opens its doors in the region or workers choose Montréal to pursue their career, our entire business base benefits,” said Michel Leblanc, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal. “Being open to the world benefits everyone: society, businesses and citizens. Internal trade is increasingly digital, an area in which we are in a position of strength. Our recognized expertise in artificial intelligence, our skills in megadata analysis and our creative talent offer an incredible opportunity to increase our international connectedness. It is in all of our interests to seize that opportunity.”
“It is critical that Québec and local businesses internationalize,” said Pierre Gabriel Côté, president and CEO of Investissement Québec. “This is an essential component of our economy. We have to build bridges and springboards to give local entrepreneurs, who are ready to export or internationalize, the momentum they need to do so. This forum provided them with a number of inspiring examples and paths for solution to the issues that concern them.”
