Trade Mission to Saskatchewan: February 9 to 11 - New clients for Quebec
contractors

MONTREAL , Feb. 10 /CNW Telbec/ - From February 9 to 11, 2010, the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal's team of international trade experts-the World Trade Centre Montréal-, assisted by representatives of the Association de la construction du Québec, are accompanying some ten Quebec-based companies operating in the construction industry on a trade mission to Saskatchewan.

The construction sector is steadily growing in Saskatchewan. In 2008, the total value of building permits increased by over 32%, growing to $2.2 billion , representing the largest increase among the Canadian provinces. The expansion of a terminal at the Saskatoon Airport, the construction of a new children's hospital, the development of the BizHub industrial park, and major work at the University of Saskatchewan are but a few examples demonstrating the construction industry's vitality in this prairie province.

"Saskatchewan's institutional-commercial and industrial construction sector is teeming with many projects that our contractors will learn about during this mission. Our international trade team, backed by the solid expertise it has developed over the years, will help point out business opportunities for the companies that form the delegation, allowing them to ensure that they are present and visible in this booming market," stated Michel Leblanc , President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal .

This is the third consecutive year that the Board of Trade has organized trade missions to Western Canada . In addition to taking part in one-on-one meetings, the Quebec delegation will participate in interactive seminars about the construction market in Saskatchewan, and in networking activities with stakeholders from the institutional-commercial and industrial sectors. This mission is being carried out in a partnership with the Department of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade.

About the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal

Through its experts at the World Trade Centre Montréal, the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal offers international trade services to the greater business community with the support of Canada Economic Development.

Team Québec

An economist at the ACQ, Luc Bourgoin, who is accompanying the members of Team Québec, realizes the importance of trade missions: "It is a golden opportunity for our contractors and builders to make their services or products known, to discover new markets, to share their expertise, and sometimes even to sign lucrative contracts."

About the ACQ

Through its different mandates to promote and defend the interests of construction contractors, the ACQ represents some 15,000 companies that employ more than 100,000 workers. Its members, working mainly in the institutional-commercial and industrial (IC/I) sectors, will account for over 55% of the 137 million hours of work forecast in the industry in 2010. Under Act R-20, the ACQ is the employer party that negotiates for all employers in the IC/I sectors. It is also present in the residential sector via its Qualité Habitation and Qualité Rénovation warranty plans.

To learn more about the ACQ: www.acq.org

For further information: Sylvie Paquette, Coordinator, Media Relations, Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, [phone], extension 4015, [email protected]; Gisèle Bélanger, Communications Manager, Communications and Public Affairs Department, [phone], extension 262, [email protected]