Montréal International presents its 2011 results at its 16th Annual Meeting - $668 M in foreign investment, expansion of the secretariat of the convention on biological diversity, support to 1,887 strategic workers

MONTREAL, April 19, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Today, Montréal International (MI) presented its 2011 results at its 16^th Annual Meeting held with close to 250 members and partners. Among the highlights, the metropolitan economic development organization helped attract $668 million in foreign direct investment (FDI) and with the expansion of the Secretariat of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), an international organization based in Montréal since 1996. As part of its talent attraction activities, MI has organized the participation of some 15 businesses to two recruiting missions in France and helped bring in or maintain 1,887 international qualified workers in the Greater Montréal region.

"Montréal International's actions not only contribute to the economic development of Greater Montréal but also enhance its competitiveness and attractiveness. This role is getting more strategic as the number of investment promotion agencies (IPAs) around the world has increased fivefold over the last 20 years," said Normand Legault, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Montréal International. "As a community, we must give ourselves the means to achieve our goals so that we can hold our own against the largest cities in the world, which are more competitive and better prepared than ever before to compete with us in the race for foreign investment and talent."

Jacques St-Laurent, President and CEO of Montréal International, pointed out the importance of collaboration and teamwork to promote Greater Montréal abroad. "Attracting foreign companies, international organizations and strategic talent is first and foremost about having a strong partnership and trust. I would therefore like to thank the members of the MI Board, the staff, the business and institution members, and our partners for their invaluable contribution," stated Mr. St-Laurent.

2011 RESULTS IN DETAIL
Foreign direct investment

In 2011, MI helped attract $668 million in foreign direct investment from Europe (50%), North America (38%) and Asia (12%), which is an increase of 16% compared to last year. Among the 28 foreign companies MI supported in their establishment or expansion are Square Enix, Northforge Innovations, Google, Société générale, BatHium, LATecis, Assystem, Technidata, Zimmer, Canadian Royalties and Redondo Iglesias.

These projects—of which three quarters are in the high technology sectors—enabled close to 2,351 jobs to be created or maintained in the metropolitan region. In 2011, in collaboration with Greater Montréal's high technology clusters, Montréal International implemented sectorial prospecting strategies in the areas of life sciences and health technologies (LSHT), information and communications technologies (ICT) and aerospace. A fourth sectorial strategy is being completed in clean technologies, in collaboration with the Écotech Québec cluster.

International organizations (IO)

One major highlight in 2011 was the expansion of the Secretariat of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the largest governmental international organization established in Montréal next to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This expansion, which strengthens the international aspect and influence of Montréal in the defence and promotion of biological diversity, has enabled the UN organization to expand its offices to better prepare for the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol.

Montréal International also offered its new personalized support services to some thirty international organizations already established in Montréal, to help them in their projects and growth. In addition, the www.montrealio.com portal—a new interactive platform that offers Montréal-based IOs greater visibility and enables them to maximize collaboration and networking locally and internationally—was created.

Talent attraction

MI has developed talent attraction activities to satisfy the growing need for qualified labour in specialized sectors in the Greater Montréal region. It was with this in mind that Montréal International participated in two Journées Québec recruiting missions in France (Paris/Toulouse in May 2011 and in Paris/Lyon in December 2011), with the support of the Conseil emploi métropole (CEM) and in cooperation with the Québec Ministry of Immigration and Cultural Communities (MICC). MI thus coordinated the participation of some fifteen firms from Greater Montréal in these missions, which were proposing some 500 positions. The CEM's support also allows MI to develop strategies and content to promote the region as a site of choice for careers and for life.

International mobility

MI's International Mobility team handled 1,887 files of international qualified workers in 2011. Applications for temporary permits, including work permits, study permits and entry visas rose from 622 in 2010 to 743 in 2011. Two hundred and twenty-nine companies availed themselves of MI's services. Furthermore, 1,144 candidates employed by 567 businesses received information on the process to obtain permanent residency, which is an increase of about 25% compared to last year.

MI Board of Directors

The 2011-2012 Board of Directors of Montréal International is made up of the following members (N=new member, R=renewal):

Montréal International Board of Directors

Normand Legault, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Montréal International (R) Jean-Jacques Bourgeault, Vice Chairman of the Board, Montréal International and Corporate Director Jean-Pierre Sauriol, Treasurer of the Board, Montréal International and President and Chief Executive Officer, Dessau

Private sector representatives

Éric Bédard, Managing Partner for the Québec region, Fasken Martineau (N)
Luc Benoît, President, AECOM
André Boulanger, President, Hydro-Québec TransÉnergie (R)
Guy Breton, Rector, Université de Montréal
Renaud Caron, Senior Vice President - Strategic Development, CGI Group
James C. Cherry, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aéroports de Montréal (R)
Jean Laurin, President and Chief Executive Officer, Devencore
The Honourable Charles Lapointe, President and Chief Executive Officer, Tourisme Montréal (N)
Guy LeBlanc, Managing Partner Montréal Office, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Tony Loffreda, Head, National Client Group - Quebec, RBC Royal Bank of Canada
David McAusland, Partner, McCarthy Tétrault (R)
Andrew T. Molson, Chairman of the Board, Molson Coors Brewing Company (R)
Yves Pelletier, Member of the Board, TechnoMontréal and Senior Vice President, Fujitsu (R)
Louise Roy, Chancellor, University of Montreal, Chair of the Conseil des arts de Montréal, Cirano invited Fellow (R)
Jacques St-Laurent, President and Chief Executive Officer, Montréal International
Hubert Thibault, Vice President, Institutional Affairs, Fédération des caisses Desjardins du Québec (R)
Sylvie Vachon, President and Chief Executive Officer, Montréal Port Authority (R)

Public sector representatives

Manon Barbe, Mayor of the LaSalle Borough and Member of the Executive Committee of the City of Montréal (R)
Richard Deschamps, Vice President of the Executive Committee of the City of Montréal, responsible for large projects, economic development, infrastructures, rolling stock and services to citizens (R)
Claude Haineault, Mayor of the City of Beauharnois (R)
Francesco Miele, member of the Council of the City of Montréal, Saint-Laurent Borough (R)
Sylvie Parent, Member of the Executive Committee, City of Longueuil (R)
Gérald Tremblay, Mayor of the City of Montréal, and President of the Council, Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (R)
Gilles Vaillancourt, Mayor of the City of Laval and Vice President of the Council, Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (R)

Observant members

Rita Tremblay, Vice President, Canada Economic Development for the Regions of Québec
Claire Deronzier, Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy

A full report of Montréal International's 2011 activities is available on its website: www.montrealinternational.com

About Montréal International

Montréal International (MI) was created in 1996 as a result of a private/public partnership. Its mission is to contribute to the economic development of metropolitan Montréal and to enhance its international status. Its mandates include attracting foreign investment, international organizations and international qualified workers, as well as promoting the competitive and international environment of Greater Montréal. Montréal International is funded by the private sector, the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (Montréal Metropolitan Community), the City of Montréal and the Governments of Canada and Québec.

Céline Clément
Communications Advisor
Montréal International
Tel.: [phone]
Cell.: 514-892-4030
[email protected]