Montréal, April 17, 2015 ‒ The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is very positive about its Strategic Forum on the transportation and logistics industry held today, with the Minister for Transport and the Implementation of the Maritime Strategy, Jean D’Amour, in attendance. Close to 350 decision makers gathered for the event, which took place at the Palais des congrès de Montréal.
“Our city is a major player in North America as a transport and logistics hub,” said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade. “With its enviable strategic positioning, the expertise of its key actors and its intermodal efficiency, Montréal is highly effective in freight processing. This growth activity already generates economic benefits of over $4.3 billion for the city. The key to success lies in the effective integration of every player in the global supply chain.”
“To maintain our status as a transport hub for merchandise, we have to be able to handle increasingly intense competition from other port facilities in the North American Northeast,” Michel Leblanc said. “At this morning’s Forum, the players again raised the need to immediately increase public and private investment to strengthen Montréal’s transportation and logistics industry.”
“Improving infrastructure is one of the most important challenges addressed today,” Mr. Leblanc said. “In its last budget, the Government of Quebec responded positively to the cluster’s call by announcing investments to modernize the maritime terminal. Other investments will be required, particularly to improve road access to the Port of Montréal and allow for easier circulation of trucks. Deploying infrastructure at a number of locations in the metropolitan area is a promising way to strengthen the city’s logistics centre. We have to ensure that these investments reinforce the Port of Montréal’s power of attraction as a North American gateway for incoming and outgoing merchandise. This strategy will give our city the means to seize opportunities for growth, in particular with the European Union and Asia.”
“We have taken note of the commitment of the Minister of Transport and the Implementation of the Maritime Strategy, Jean D’Amour, to offer the city a prominent place in the maritime strategy that will be tabled between now and June,” Michel Leblanc said. “Now we need to work together to develop and send a strong message to the federal government about the need to invest in our city’s strategic assets.”
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.
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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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