Montréal, February 4, 2016 – The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal applauds the signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) by the 12 member countries in New Zealand. This agreement is good news for the city’s businesses and will make them more competitive on the international scene. The signing of this agreement will be followed by a discussion period at the national level to ratify it within the next two years.
“We need to use the agreement’s ratification period to mobilize and promote the city’s strong sectors,” said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal. “Promoting Canada, its cities and its flagship economic sectors is a responsibility that is shared between businesses and government. We encourage Montréal companies to start today to develop business strategies so that they are well positioned to take full advantage of the agreement once it officially comes into force.”
“The fact that Canada is one of the TPP founding countries will help businesses in the city and the rest of Canada position themselves competitively in new Asian and world value chains,” Michel Leblanc said. “This major partnership will create the world’s largest free trade zone, among 12 countries that together account for 40% of the world economy. It will offer essential and easier access for local businesses to markets that represent almost 800 million consumers, with growth in certain countries reaching close to 6% per year.”
“Currently, 26.5% of Quebec’s GDP depends on international exports,” Michel Leblanc said. “With the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union, the bilateral trade agreement with South Korea and now this agreement, local businesses will reap direct benefits from a liberalization of markets. The Board of Trade and its team of international trade experts, the World Trade Centre Montréal, will continue their efforts to guide the city’s businesses on these promising markets through seminars, training workshops and economic missions, which it has been offering for the past 30 years.”
About the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal has over 7,000 members. Its mission is to be the voice of Montréal’s business community and to promote the city’s prosperity. It is involved in key areas of economic development, advocating a philosophy of action based on engagement, credibility, proactivity, collaboration and innovation. The Board of Trade also offers a range of specialized services to individuals and to business of all sizes to support them in their growth at home and abroad.
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:
Guillaume Bérubé
Advisor, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Tel.: 514 871-4000, ext. 4042
gberube@ccmm.qc.ca
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