2012 Quebec-India Trade Mission: World Trade Centre Montréal signs a memorandum of understanding with World Trade Centre Mumbai and All Indian Association of Industries

MONTREAL, Jan. 30, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal and its team of international trade experts, the World Trade Centre Montréal, are pleased to announce the signature of a memorandum of understanding with World Trade Centre Mumbai and All Indian Association of Industries as part of the 2012 Quebec-India trade mission headed by Minister of Health and Social Services of the Government of Quebec, Dr. Yves Bolduc. Held in partnership with ministère du Développement économique, de l'Innovation et de l'Exportation and its Export-Québec unit, ministère des Relations internationales, Bureau du Québec à Mumbai, MEDEC and Investissement Québec, this mission brings together more than 45 participants from the spheres of business, research, and science and technology.

"The signature of the agreement with World Trade Centre Mumbai is a continuation of the initiatives instigated during the 2011 trade mission to India by the former Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade, and which the Board of Trade attended. This memorandum of understanding will facilitate the exchange of information and collaborations, notably when delegations of entrepreneurs coached by the signees are touring the other country, or during the planning of missions that include trade fairs organized by WTC Mumbai. It will promote new partnership opportunities between the Mumbai and Montréal business communities," said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal.

"This agreement is the second to be entered with Indian market organizations. Last year, the Board of Trade had signed a similar deal with the Indian Merchants' Chamber. These efforts tangibly demonstrate the importance India and Quebec both grant to the development of business opportunities on their mutual markets. The fast growth India is experiencing offers a wealth of possibilities for our homegrown businesses, among others in the natural resources industry, and especially in the context of Plan Nord, the Board of Trade aims to contribute to their development by signing an agreement such as this," Leblanc added. 

"For years, the Board of Trade has multiplied initiatives to ease new business development on the Indian territory. The current mission is in fact the fourth in which we've taken part. We strongly believe that SMEs from Montréal and the rest of the province have a lot to gain from investing on this market and we are pleased to encourage them to, in partnership with the Government of Quebec. For that matter, we salute the commitment of the government to promoting Quebec-made expertise in India and we are proud to contribute", Leblanc concluded.

"Quebec-India relations have strengthened greatly since the inauguration of Bureau du Québec à Mumbai in 2008. This agreement is invaluable since it will enable Quebec entrepreneurs who intend to conquer the Indian market to rely on accurate, first-hand information to guide their endeavours," added Minister of Health and Social Services Yves Bolduc. 

With the help of its World Trade Montréal experts, the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal offers international trade services to the extended business community, with the support of Canada Economic Development. 

Photograph available upon request.  

Sylvie Paquette
Advisor, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Tel.: [phone], extension 4015
[email protected]