Montréal, March 1, 2017 ‒ The Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal submitted its recommendations as part of consultations on the Québec Digital Strategy today. This is a priority issue for the business community because of the cross-industry nature of digital technology, which represents an essential vehicle for business growth, productivity and competitiveness.
Prompt local businesses to “start up and grow in the digital world”
“The future Strategy has to help local companies take a proactive rather than reactive approach to new digital technology,” said Michel Leblanc. “To do this, we need to introduce a creative dynamic that lets businesses anticipate upcoming trends and create the technologies of tomorrow. The government’s role is to ensure that the legislative and fiscal framework is conducive to innovation and new business models.”
Create a competitive business environment that fosters innovation
“The government needs to create a competitive business environment that fosters innovation so that Québec businesses commit to the shift to digital technology,” Mr. Leblanc said. “We need to optimize digital infrastructures and networks, have public institutions make the transition to open data faster and facilitate the integration of innovations and digital technologies in the public sector. The Strategy also needs to include concrete measures to encourage local businesses to move quickly into e-business, which should be a leading driver of growth and internationalization.”
Increase digital literacy
“Access to skilled labour is one of the main challenges to allowing businesses to take full advantage of digital business opportunities,” Michel Leblanc said. “We need to have an ambitious strategy to increase the graduation rate in technology, professional and university disciplines, particularly in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), big data and artificial intelligence. The Digital Strategy must make developing digital skills an integral part of education, from primary school to university. The government should also make it easier to adapt continuing education and put in place measures to retain more international students with skills that are in demand.”
Bank on digital niches of excellence
“To flourish in a competitive environment, we need to prioritize the city’s innovative niches of excellence in digital technology that offer strong prospects for growth in the coming years, such as artificial intelligence, video games and fintech,” Michel Leblanc. “The Strategy should also focus on creative and cultural industries that produce and distribute content, and the manufacturing sector, which has challenges integrating digital technology.”
The brief with the Chamber’s recommendations as part of the consultations for the Québec Digital Strategy can be consulted by clicking here.
About the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal (CCMM)
With a network of over 7,000 members, the CCMM is active on two fronts: being the voice of the Montréal business community and delivering specialized services to businesses and their representatives. With its finger on the pulse of current events, it acts on issues that are decisive for the prosperity of the city’s businesses. With the support of the Acclr experts, the CCMM’s goal is to accelerate the creation and growth of businesses of all sizes, at home and around the world.
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Source :
Guillaume Bérubé
Advisor, Media Relations
Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal
Tel.: 514 871-4000, ext. 4042
gberube@ccmm.ca
Facebook : www.facebook.com/chambremontreal
Twitter : @chambremontreal
To continue the discussion : #ccmm