Along with its public- and private-sector partners - Montréal International announces record results for 2013

Montréal International

MONTREAL, Feb. 27, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Ms. Dominique Anglade, President and CEO of Montréal International (MI), announced the organization's results for 2013 and thanked MI's partners for their renewed financial support. Attending the announcement were MI partner representatives Mr. Jean-François Lisée, Minister of International Relations, La Francophonie and External Trade and Minister responsible for the Montréal region; Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montréal and President of the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal; and Tony Loffreda, Executive Vice President, RBC Royal Bank.

Highlights of last year's results include MI's strategic contribution to 39 foreign direct investment projects totalling $1.28 billion, which will result in the creation or maintenance of more than 2,700 jobs in Greater Montréal. MI also helped strengthen the international organization community and the metropolitan region's pool of qualified workers.

"These solid results demonstrate the importance of the role and contribution of Montréal International as a wealth creation engine for Greater Montréal's economy," said Anglade. "Together with our private- and public-sector partners, we will open a bold, daring and ambitious new chapter in the metropolitan region's growth. I thank them for their invaluable support and renewed confidence and I invite the entire business community to mobilize and support the drive to revitalize Greater Montréal," Anglade added.

"I am delighted with Montréal International's results—the best so far. These results confirm that the metropolis is attracting an increasing volume of foreign investment—which runs counter to the popular perception we often hear about. The ideal conditions are being created right now to intensify this economic dynamism and make Montréal one of the world's best places to invest. We are seeing a new determination to revitalize the region. We are coming up with new ways to work together, imagine and propose new ideas and solutions for Montréal," said Jean-François Lisée.

"I am very pleased by these results, as they bode well for the entire territory of the Montréal Metropolitan Community. Every success racked up by Montréal International reminds us that we have much to gain by working together to compete with other major cities around the world. I would like to see an increase in foreign direct investment in the coming years and I am calling upon Greater Montréal's economic partners to work together to achieve even more ambitious goals. Through solidarity and a concerted effort, Greater Montréal will carve itself a place on the scene of world affairs," added Montréal Mayor Denis Coderre.

Montréal International can also count on the financial support of some one hundred private companies in Greater Montréal, including RBC Royal Bank, which make a tangible contribution to the economic development of the metropolis. "We have had a fruitful relationship with Montréal International since the very beginning and we believe in the importance of reaching out to all the region's major economic players to foster greater collective wealth," said Martin Thibodeau, President, Québec Headquarters, RBC Royal Bank. "The global network of RBC Business Banking Centres is also involved in promotional and prospecting missions led by Montréal International," he explained.

2013 RESULTS IN DETAIL

Foreign direct investment (FDI)
In 2013, MI helped to attract 39 FDI projects worth a total of $1.28 billion, which will result in the creation or maintenance of over 2,700 jobs in the metropolitan region. European companies made 83% of the investments facilitated by MI—an increase of more than 25 points compared to 2012. Moreover, according to the analysis by sector, 62% of the total investments made by foreign companies in Greater Montréal were made in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector.

International organizations
On the international organizations (IO) front, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) decided to maintain its operations in Montréal and Airports Council International (ACI) expanded its operations in the wake of its Airport Excellence (APEX) training program deployment. ACI, which represents civil airports the world over, relocated its headquarters from Geneva to Montréal in 2011—thanks in part to Montréal International's support. In 2013, MI also held 63 foreign prospecting missions and 36 targeted activities to foster the development of international organizations already established in Montréal.

Strategic talent
Thanks to the financial support of the Conseil emploi métropole as part of a pilot project, Montréal International multiplied the number of initiatives in 2013 to help companies in Greater Montréal recruit highly qualified and experienced workers, primarily in Aerospace, ICT, and Life Sciences and Health Technologies (LSHT). MI coordinated the participation of 30 companies from Greater Montréal—40% more than in 2012—in three recruiting missions in the United States and Europe organized in conjunction with the Government of Québec, which led to the hiring of more than 185 skilled workers.

Moreover, Montréal International helped 649 international workers relocate to Greater Montréal (work permits, study permits and entry visas). They work at 120 companies, institutions and international organizations located in the region. 695 strategic workers also attended one of the 88 information sessions organized by MI on the benefits of permanent residency, a high value-added service that helped strengthen the metropolitan region's talent pool.

About Montréal International (www.montrealinternational.com)
Created in 1996, Montréal International (MI) is the result of a private-public partnership. Its mission is to contribute to the economic development of Greater Montréal and enhance its international status. Its mandates include attracting foreign direct investments, international organizations and international strategic workers as well as promoting the competitive and international environment of Greater Montréal. Montréal International—a non-profit organization—is funded by the private sector, the governments of Canada and Québec, the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (Montréal Metropolitan Community) and the City of Montréal.

Since its creation, Montréal International has helped to attract $10.6 billion in foreign direct investments to Greater Montréal. From these investments, 52,000 jobs have been created or maintained. To date, MI's activities have also allowed almost half of some 60 international organizations to establish themselves in the city and attract and retain more than 9,000 international strategic workers.

Image with caption: "(From left to right) Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montréal; Dominique Anglade, CEO of Montréal International; Jean-François Lisée, Government of Québec; and Tony Loffreda, RBC Royal Bank. (CNW Group/Montréal International)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140227_C7982_PHOTO_EN_37316.jpg

SOURCE: Montréal International

Céline Clément
Communications Advisor
Montréal International
Tel.: [phone]
Cell: 514 892-4030
[email protected]