Montréal, October 10, 2013 – The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal welcomes the industrial policy unveiled today by the Minister for Industrial Policy and the Banque de développement économique du Québec, Élaine Zakaïb. “This policy acknowledges the productivity deficit that Quebec businesses have been suffering from for a number of decades,” says Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade. “We would like to reiterate our support for the government’s objective to rise above the Canadian average in the next few years. Our prosperity as a society depends upon it.”
“The measures announced to encourage companies to better integrate information and communication technologies and to increase their investment in machinery and equipment are essential to improving their competitiveness,” Michel Leblanc says. “But obviously these measures need to be accompanied by a clear intention to maintain a competitive fiscal framework and lighten the regulatory load to get companies investing.”
“This policy contains a number of our recommendations, particularly with respect to supporting the development of clusters and measures to promote the commercialization of innovations and investments by SMEs,” Mr. Leblanc says. “We also applaud the creation of a centre of excellence in manufacturing innovation, an initiative of the École de technologie supérieure, in cooperation with McGill University and other partners. Moving our industrial base toward a greener economy, by promoting the electrification of transportation, for instance, is also a step in the right direction. These sorts of initiatives will help us benefit from our expertise and improve our competitiveness.”
“With the city representing 50% of the province’s economy and a number of indicators showing that economic growth has dropped off dramatically, we expect the policy’s implementation to reflect the special situation of Greater Montréal and contribute to its economic recovery.”
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.
-30-
Source:
Michelle LLambias Meunier
Advisor, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Tel.: 514 871-4000, ext. 4042
mllambias@ccmm.qc.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/chambremontreal
Twitter: @chambremontreal
Follow the discussion: #ccmmqcca