Press Release
Destination China: The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
organizes a trade mission focusing on urban development
Montreal, April 5, 2006 The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal and its team of experts on international trade at the World Trade Centre Montréal are organizing a trade mission focusing on urban development that will visit China from April 8 to 14. Headed by Montreal Mayor Gérald Tremblay, mission stops will include Shanghai, a mega-hub of more than 18 million people, as well as the cities of Suzhou and Nantong.
With constantly increasing economic development over the past decade, the Shanghai region is facing many significant challenges pertaining to environmental protection, residential and commercial construction, planning, deployment of urban infrastructure and the development of mass transit. That is why our team wishes to offer companies based in Montreal and elsewhere in Quebec that have made their marks in fields pertaining to urban development the opportunity to forge solid ties with Chinese businesses, said Isabelle Hudon, president and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal.
As some small companies may feel that an immense centre like Shanghai is out of their league, we have also decided to take participants to Suzhou and Nantong, two other communities with extraordinary potential. Suzhou has 6 million residents and Nantong, 8 million; both are ripe for the implementation of numerous major projects. China's needs are many and urgent and we hope that the capabilities and skills of our firms will boost the growth and prosperity of tomorrow's China, while also contributing to our influence and competitive edge, Ms. Hudon added.
This mission falls within the broader context of Mayor Gérald Tremblay's visit to Shanghai, which is aimed at underscoring the 20th anniversary of the twinning of the two cities and at renewing the protocol for cooperation on projects that are to be carried out over the next three years.
It is clear to the Board of Trade that businesses based in Montreal and in the rest of Quebec have every reason to adopt an expansion strategy that will compel them to consider opportunities for trade with China. China now ranks sixth for Quebec imports, but only represents a bit more than 1% of our exports. Untapped potential is, in other words, vast. That is why the experience of our team of experts at the World Trade Centre Montréal, combined to our solid international network, will enable us to act as a true facilitator for companies seeking to develop rewarding business relationships on foreign markets. Montreal is well known for its strengths in the field of urban development and our companies have the know-how they need to distinguish themselves on the international scene, Hudon concluded.
Through its team of experts at the World Trade Centre Montréal, the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal provides international trade services to the greater business community, with the support of Canada Economic Development.
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Source:
Sylvie Paquette
Coordinator, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Tel.: (514) 871-4000, Ext. 4015
sylvie.paquette@ccmm.qc.ca