As part of the economic mission to France by the Mayor of Montréal and Chairman of the Montréal Metropolitan Community, Mr. Denis Coderre - Montréal International and the Association Française des Éditeurs de Logiciels et Solutions Internet enter into a strategic partnership

MONTRÉAL, May 14, 2014 /CNW/ - Montréal International and the Association Française des Éditeurs de Logiciels et Solutions Internet – AFDEL (French association of software and internet solutions publishers) – have entered into a strategic partnership whereby the two organizations have agreed to cooperate in achieving their respective objectives. Montréal International's mission will be to support AFDEL members in their development efforts throughout Canada. To reach this objective, MI will be in direct contact with AFDEL's representative in Canada, designated by the AFDEL office. The memorandum of understanding was signed in Paris on May 14, 2014, as part of an economic mission to France by the Mayor of Montréal and Chairman of the Montréal Metropolitan Community, Mr. Denis Coderre, with the participation of Montréal International.

Under this partnership, Montréal International (MI) will provide strategic support to AFDEL member companies as part of their business development in Canada. MI's enrolment in the Consider Canada City Alliance – an association of economic promotion agencies in Canada's major cities – will enable it to act as a catalyst for AFDEL members' projects for Greater Montréal and other regions around the country.

"The AFDEL partnership agreement is a historic step forward in more than one way. It provides us with a powerful tool to promote Greater Montréal in Europe to the members of this association of information technology (IT) companies – this is a key sector in the Québec metropolis' economy. Moreover, this makes Montréal a hub for IT investment in Canada," said Montréal International's President and CEO, Ms. Dominique Anglade.

"The strategic support that Montréal International will provide AFDEL members for their major projects in Greater Montréal is a significant added value and a key attractiveness factor for the Québec metropolis. Contacts with stakeholders in other cities around the country provided through the Canadian network to which Montréal International belongs make it a prime partner for AFDEL," explained AFDEL President Mr. Jamal Labed.

Under this agreement, targeted sector information describing Greater Montréal's specific advantages will be provided to AFDEL members and they will be put in contact with regional economic development stakeholders regarding investment projects. The two organizations have also agreed to hold an information meeting on the impact of the Canada–EU Trade Agreement, which is expected to increase trade.

About Montréal International (www.montrealinternational.com)

Created in 1996, Montréal International (MI) is the result of a private-public partnership. Its mission is to act as an economic driver for Greater Montréal to attract foreign wealth while accelerating the success of its partners and clients. 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 attract $10.6 billion in foreign direct investment to Greater Montréal. And these investments have contributed to creating or maintaining close to 52,000 jobs. To date, MI has also supported almost half of the city's 60 international organizations in setting up their operations in the area, while helping attract and retain more than 9,000 highly skilled foreign workers.

About AFDEL (www.afdel.fr)

The Association Française des Éditeurs de Logiciels et Solutions Internet – AFDEL (French association of software and internet solutions publishers) is a community of software publishers representing the digital sector in France.

AFDEL has more than 350 members (total sales of €8 billion) throughout France, comprising major international groups and top French firms (60% of France's Top 100), SMEs and start-ups. AFDEL is a member of FIEEC and CINOV and participates in the management of the Syntec-CINOV collective agreement and dispenses professional training.

SOURCE: Montréal International

Louis Arseneault, Vice President, Talent Attraction, Promotion and Communications, Montréal International, Tel.: [phone], [email protected]; Fabrice Larrue, Director, Marketing and Communications, AFDEL, Tel.: [phone], [email protected]