Thanks to a grant from Conseil emploi métropole - Montréal International accelerates the development of its foreign talent attraction activities

MONTREAL, Oct. 28, 2011 /CNW Telbec/ - Montréal International (MI) is continuing the development of its expertise and foreign talent attraction activities thanks to a $655,000 grant awarded under the Conseil emploi métropole's (CEM) action strategy. This grant, which comes from the Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale, will allow MI to help bolster the Greater Montréal region's pool of qualified labour with particular focus on three areas: study on foreign talent pools, web use, and international recruitment.

"The availability of qualified labour is the cornerstone of the attractiveness and competitiveness of large urban centres such as Montréal and, considering the challenges of the labour market, the influx of foreign workers is very important. The grant, allocated to Montréal International as part of the CEM's strategy, will give us the means to support the growth of Greater Montréal region businesses and, thus, the metropolitan area's economy," said Jacques St-Laurent, President and CEO of Montréal International.

Montréal International, which has been making efforts to attract foreign talent since 2010, also offers services to welcome and retain qualified foreign workers in the Greater Montréal region. In addition to its activities to promote and attract foreign direct investment and international organizations, MI's international activities help reinforce the competitive position of the Montréal metropolitan region.

"We are extremely pleased and honoured to receive the financial support and confidence of the Québec minister of employment and social solidarity, Ms. Julie Boulet, through the CEM. We are most grateful, and delighted by the commitment of the minister and Ms. Marjolaine Loiselle, President of the CEM, to implement a partnership strategy to make the Greater Montréal region and Québec the leaders in the competition to attract foreign talent. They can count on the continued collaboration of Montréal International to achieve our collective objectives," concluded Mr. St-Laurent.

About Montréal International

Montréal International (MI) was created in 1996 as a result of a private/public partnership. Its mission is to contribute to the economic development of metropolitan Montréal and to enhance its international status. Its mandates include attracting foreign investment, international organizations and qualified foreign workers, as well as promoting the competitive and international environment of Greater Montréal. Montréal International is funded by the private sector, the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM - Montréal Metropolitan Community), the City of Montréal and the Governments of Canada and Québec.

Since its creation, Montréal International has helped to attract more than $8 billion in foreign investment to Greater Montréal. From these investments, close to 45,000 jobs have been created or maintained. To date, MI's activities have also allowed almost half of the 70 international organizations to establish themselves in the city and, attract and retain, close to 5,500 qualified foreign workers. To learn more, please visit MI Web site at: www.montrealinternational.com.

For further information:

Céline Clément
Communications Advisor
Montréal International
Tel.: [phone]
Cell: [phone]
[e-mail]