Milan, 25 January 2016 – The Premier of Quebec, Philippe Couillard, today further strengthened ties between Quebec and the Lombardy Region, Italy’s economic heartland, by meeting with numerous key figures from the Milanese and Lombard business worlds and addressing Italian entrepreneurs during a presentation hosted by Confindustria Lombardia and the Lombardy Region.

“For over 50 years, relations between Quebec and Italy have grown steadily. I am keen to further increase our economic exchanges with this country. Political and economic stability, access to vast North American markets via the St. Lawrence River, and the significant mineral and energy potential in northern Quebec are of great interest to Italian investors looking to do business in America. We are positioning Quebec as an essential partner between Italy and North America. The economic profile of Lombardy is similar to that of Quebec, and the expertise sought by both sides invites an ever-increasing number of agreements, exchanges, and partnerships,” the Premier stated.

An audience of potential investors
Addressing an audience primarily composed of economic and institutional figures, the Premier presented the Quebec Government’s major economic priorities, including the Plan Nord, the Maritime Strategy, and the Action Plan for the Electrification of Transport. He also emphasised the importance of innovation as a growth factor, noting that the fight against climate change presents an excellent opportunity for businesses to develop new economic niches.

Economic meetings
During discussions with the President of Confindustria Lombardia, Alberto Ribolla, the Vice President of Assolombarda, Alessandro Spada, and Erica Corti, a member of the Milan Chamber of Commerce Board, the Premier also highlighted the value and benefits of the future Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and the European Union.

“Today’s meeting aims to intensify trade relations between Lombardy and the province of Quebec. The recent EU-Canada economic and trade agreement and the projects presented by Premier Couillard represent a significant opportunity for investment and development for our companies. Furthermore, the know-how, skills, and innovation possessed by Lombard companies fit perfectly within the framework of the Research and Innovation agreement signed in September 2015 between the Lombardy Region and Quebec. This will allow numerous Lombard SMEs, including through technology clusters – as is already the case between the Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster and Ecotech Québec as part of the collaboration launched in 2010 – to establish profitable partnerships with the Canadian province. The bilateral agreement provides for collaboration in advanced manufacturing applied to the aerospace, agri-food, and micro- and nanoelectronics sectors, all areas of excellence for our companies. Confindustria Lombardia, as part of the Internationalisation project contained in the #Lombardia2030 strategic plan, will support companies along this path of opening up to new markets,” added the President of Confindustria Lombardia, Alberto Ribolla.

“The possibilities for collaboration with Italy are numerous, and we must seize this opportunity to advance Quebec. I am convinced that the meetings held today will, in the long term, multiply exchanges and consolidate partnerships with this Italy of creativity, which we greatly admire and which serves as a lever for innovation and adaptation to contemporary challenges,” added the Premier.

The Premier also met with the Vice President of the Lombardy Region, Fabrizio Sala, to reaffirm the importance of political, economic, and institutional relations between Quebec and the Lombardy Region, undoubtedly the most prosperous region in Italy. He also welcomed the recent entry into force of the agreement between the Government of Quebec and the Lombardy Region on research and innovation, which will enable the creation of joint projects, thereby contributing to the mobility of researchers and the promotion of Quebec and Italian expertise.

“It is an honour for the Lombardy Region to host the Premier of Quebec. As a regional government, we strongly believe in direct bilateral relations between regional governments, which allow for a focus on more specific objectives than those typically pursued between national governments. Even more important is the collaboration between regions of the world that are at the forefront of production, research, and training. It is for this reason that Lombardy and Quebec have developed an institutional partnership that has resulted in numerous projects and missions aimed at boosting collaboration between companies, clusters, and research centres, and at exploring further partnerships in cutting-edge sectors such as life sciences, biotechnology, agri-food technology, aerospace, photonics, and design,” noted the Vice President of the Lombardy Region, Fabrizio Sala.

Attachments

• Press release Quebec meeting - 25Jan2016.pdf