Montréal, March 24, 2014 – Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, joined an economic mission today led by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. During this mission, meetings will be held with political and business leaders from Germany and the Netherlands in an effort to foster closer relations and study trade and investment opportunities resulting from the implementation of the new Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union.
“From the beginning of negotiations between Canada and the European Union over the CETA, the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal vigorously expressed its support for the agreement,” said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal. “Opening up Canada’s economic space to foreign markets is essential for the city. Once the CETA is in force, it will promote the expansion of local exporters in Europe and help make Montréal a hub of goods trading between North America and Europe. This mission will enable us to build closer ties with our European partners and to better exploit the potential of this important market.”
“We would like the ratification process for the CETA to be completed as soon as possible so that Quebec and Montréal companies can start taking advantage of preferred access to European markets,” Michel Leblanc said. “In the next 18 months, through our team of experts in international trade, the World Trade Centre Montréal, we will guide SMEs seeking business opportunities on these markets, in particular by organizing trade missions.”
About the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is made up of some 7,000 members. Its mission is to represent the interests of the business community of Greater Montréal and to provide individuals, merchants, and local businesses of all sizes with a variety of specialized services to help them achieve their full potential in terms of innovation, productivity, and competitiveness. The Board of Trade is Quebec's leading private economic development organization.
About the World Trade Centre Montréal
With the help of its World Trade Montréal experts, the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal offers international trade services to the extended business community, with the support of Canada Economic Development.
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Source:
Michelle LLambias Meunier
Advisor, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Tel.: 514 871-4000, ext. 4042
mllambias@ccmm.qc.ca
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