The Mayor of Montréal on an economic mission to Israel and the West Bank

MONTREAL, Aug. 28, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - From September 7 to 14, 2012, the Mayor of Montréal, Gérald Tremblay, will visit Israel and the West Bank as part of an economic mission held in cooperation with the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal and its team of experts in the field of international trade, the World Trade Centre Montreal. The delegation will be made up of more than 40 officials representing businesses, universities and Montréal organizations.

"We are hoping to develop a sustainable and mutually profitable business relationship with Israel and the West Bank. We can draw inspiration from Israel's model of innovation that brings together enterprises, universities and government. Our experience in setting up industrial clusters may also be of interest to this part of the world, which like Montréal is a genuine hub for innovation and creativity. For our Administration, this economic mission is one more element that adds to other efforts we and our partners make every year to improve the international acclaim of what our creative force can offer to the rest of the world. Through these efforts, Montréal is now recognized for its dynamic, creative business community that is open to the world," said Mayor Tremblay.

"Businesses and organizations that build on innovation to grow should consider the Israeli market, whether to secure partners for research, aggressive investors, clients for their inventions or simply new ideas. This economic mission will be an excellent opportunity for visiting businesses and institutions to access many stakeholders in Israel who will contribute to their internationalization strategy," said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal.

For Jacques St-Laurent, President and CEO of Montreal International, this mission to Israel and the West Bank will enable delegates to explore potential new markets for direct foreign investments. "Montréal has a lot to offer to Middle East enterprises, and the support of Mayor Tremblay demonstrates the metropolitan area's commitment to successfully attract new subsidiaries," said Jacques St-Laurent. "Foreign companies that are established in the Greater Montreal area account for 9% of the total employment figure and for 20% of its GDP, which is a priceless asset for our community," added Mr. St-Laurent.

On this mission, Mayor Tremblay will meet with his counterparts from Tel Aviv, Haifa, Ramallah, Be'er-Sheva and Jerusalem. He will take part in a roundtable on Israeli and Montréal models of innovation and attend the opening of the High Tech Industry Association Annual Conference. Mayor Tremblay will also address the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce and the Canada-Palestine business network, as well as visit scientific institutions and local businesses.

Among the participants who will explore opportunities for partnership will be representatives of the field of research and education (Concordia University, Université de Montréal, McGill University, Université Laval, École de technologie supérieure, Polythechique Montréal, Collège Lionel-Groulx), enterprises and organizations involved in aerospace and ICTs, (Thales Canada, Unmanned Aerial Systems Centre of Excellence, Synergic Research and Innovation in Aerospace (CRIAQ), IBM, Novatek, TechnoMontréal, Toon Boom), services-oriented firms (Dunton Rainville, Fasken Martineau, Heenan Blaikie, Monit), as well as Montréal International, Technoparc Montréal and Recherche Québec (ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade).

The Québec ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade has provided financial support to businesses and researchers who will take part in the mission.

SOURCE: VILLE DE MONTREAL - CABINET DU MAIRE ET DU COMITE EXECUTIF

For further information:

Source:
Martine Painchaud
Office of the Mayor and Executive Committee
514 872-9998

Information: 
François Goneau
Division des affaires publiques
514 868-5859