NAFTA Major Meetings: Leaders' Perspectives
The Honorable Elise Stefanik, New York State Republican Representative in U.S. Congress at the Vaudreuil-Dorion chamber of commerce
VAUDREUIL-DORION, QC, Nov. 21, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ -The Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ), the Chambre de commerce et d'industrie de Vaudreuil-Soulanges (CCIVS) and the North Country Chamber of Commerce presented the first edition of the NAFTA Major Meetings: leaders' perspectives series as part of the COREX Events. The event was an opportunity to hear and discuss with the Honorable Elise Stefanik, who represents New York State's 21st District in the House of Representatives.
The renegotiation of NAFTA, along with the issues it raises for U.S., Canadian and Mexican companies and the joint actions that must be undertaken to strengthen these special relationships for the benefit of all parties, were at the heart of the discussions led by Frédérick Gagnon, Raoul-Dandurand Chair, Director of the Centre for United States Studies and Professor in the Department of Political Science at Université du Québec à Montréal. This discussion provided a better understanding of the current situation, explored the future prospects surrounding the renegotiation of the agreement and reminded participants of the strong ties between the Québec and U.S. economies.
More than a third of Québec's exports are destined to the Northeastern United States
In view of this, the FCCQ stresses the importance of the trade partnership between Québec and New York State and feels it is essential that the two areas make it their first objective to promote the growth of trade between them. Collaborative agreements have been signed with U.S. partners in the North Country Chamber of Commerce and the New York State Business Council. The FCCQ has also implemented several initiatives aimed at facilitating and promoting the development of trade between Québec and the Northeastern United States, including the COREX program, which is mainly intended to help Québec and U.S. companies build relationships and seize business opportunities on both sides of the border.
Quotes
"Today, companies are operating in a global economy; our export activities account for nearly half of our GDP. The United States is Québec's main trading partner, while Mexico is one of Québec's most valuable partners in Latin America. Participating in and facilitating exchanges on NAFTA and mobilizing our partners involved in this long-standing relationship is vital to the good of our respective economies. The renegotiation of NAFTA must be seen as an opportunity to overcome pitfalls and promote trade over the long term. The NAFTA Major Meetings: leaders' perspectives series is therefore an essential tool for promoting dialogue and supporting our businesses when it comes to cross-border trade issues." – Stéphane Forget, President and CEO of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec.
"Our businesses are central to the economic vitality of our territory and we are very proud of each of their accomplishments. Every step taken in the development of new markets is good news for the economic health of our area. This is why it is important to have a good understanding of the issues raised by free trade agreements such as NAFTA and to demonstrate how the economic success of one region is also beneficial to the other areas surrounding it." – Marie-Andrée Prévost, President of the Chambre de commerce et d'industrie de Vaudreuil-Soulanges.
"Nothing is more important to Plattsburgh and northern New York than our large and growing economic partnership with Quebec," states Garry Douglas, President of the North Country Chamber of Commerce in Plattsburgh. "We have had the pleasure of working closely with our partners at the FCCQ for almost twenty years now to broaden and deepen our cross border ties, and the visit by our Congresswoman, Elise Stefanik was timely and substantive. She has become one of the strongest leaders in Congress on U.S.-Canadian commerce, and I know the day's interactions, meetings and dialogue will be valuable in her continuing efforts on behalf of all of us." – Garry Douglas, President and CEO of the North Country Chamber of Commerce
"As the Representative of New York's North Country, I was honored to attend this important event and work to strengthen our critical bilateral relationship," said Congresswoman Stefanik. "As we know in my district, Canada is more than just our friends and neighbors to the North – they are our largest trading partner and Canadian businesses are major employers in our region. This day was an opportunity to speak with Canadian officials and Quebec business leaders on some of the most pressing issues facing our region and to discuss ways we can strengthen our shared interests. I thank the FCCQ and the North Country Chamber of Commerce for organizing and hosting this event, and I look forward to continuing to work together." – Elise Stefanik, 21st Congressional District of New York, Republican Party
About NAFTA Major Meetings: Leaders' Perspectives
The NAFTA Major Meetings: Leaders' Perspectives series offers the business community the privilege of meeting leaders from the world of politics and economics involved in Canada-U.S.-Mexico relations.
These meetings are an opportunity to highlight the wealth created by this economic relationship as well as to discuss the importance of opening our borders, our prospects surrounding the renegotiation of NAFTA and how we can build on our achievements and better contribute, together, to the development of our respective economies.
About the COREX Program
The FCCQ COREX Program is an initiative to facilitate and promote trade between Québec and the Northeastern United States. One of the objectives of this program is to support Québec executives and entrepreneurs in developing their export markets and creating a network of business partners south of the border.
About the FCCQ
With its wide network of more than 140 chambers of commerce and 1,100 corporate members, the FCCQ represents more than 50,000 businesses operating in all sectors of the economy throughout Québec. As the largest network of business people and businesses in Québec, the FCCQ is both a federation of chambers of commerce and a provincial chamber of commerce. Its members, whether chambers or companies, all share a common goal: to foster an innovative and competitive business environment.
About the Chambre de commerce et d'industrie de Vaudreuil-Soulanges
The Chambre de commerce et d'industrie de Vaudreuil-Soulanges (CCIVS) is an organization responsible for representing the interests of entrepreneurs as well as commercial, industrial and service businesses in the Vaudreuil-Soulanges territory. The CCIVS represents more than 600 members and delegates in the territory, and through its affiliation with the largest network of business people and businesses in Québec, the Fédération des Chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ), its members benefit from a large network, in which more than 140 chambers of commerce are represented throughout Québec, in order to promote an innovative and competitive business environment.
About the North Country Chamber of Commerce
The North Country Chamber of Commerce is a regional chamber serving Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton and northern Warren Counties in New York State and southern Quebec. With more than 3,200 members, it is the largest business and economic development alliance in northern New York and one of the five largest chambers in the state.
SOURCE Fédération des Chambres de commerce du Québec
For the Chambre de Commerce de Vaudreuil-Soulanges: Nadine Lachance, Executive Director, Chambre de Commerce de Vaudreuil-Soulanges, Tel.: 450-424-6886, [email protected]; For the FCCQ: Anik Le Marquand, Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec, Tel.: 514-844-9571, ext. 3242, [email protected]
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