2014 Québec International Annual Report

HIGHLIGHTS

2014

2

OUR

MISSIONTO CONTRIBUTE TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE QUÉBEC CITY AREA AND ENHANCE ITS INTERNATIONAL STATUS.

ATTRACT TALENT AND INVESTMENT

DEVELOP AND EXPORT THE

REGION’S KNOW-HOW

3

OUR

ROLEAN EASY ONE-STOP SERVICE FOR SUCCESS

A truly integrated economic development agency, we offer a wide range of support services for investors and businesses in the Québec City metropolitan region.

QUÉBEC INTERNATIONAL,

RENOWN FOR THE EXCELLENCE

OF ITS SERVICES, APPEARED FOR

AN EIGHTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR

ON SITE SELECTION MAGAZINE’S

LIST OF TOP CANADIAN ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT GROUP IN 2014.

ATTRACT FOREIGN INVESTMENTS

DEVELOP AND PROMOTE

KEY CLUSTERS

SUPPORT TRADE AND FOREIGN

MARKET DEVELOPMENT

FOSTER INNOVATION AND

HI-TECH ENTREPRENEURSHIP

PROMOTE THE COMPETITIVE

ENVIRONMENT OF THE QUÉBEC

CITY AREA

ATTRACT QUALIFIED

FOREIGN WORKERS

4

MAJOR ECONOMIC IMPACT

2014

IN NUMBERS

PROVIDING VALUE-ADDED SERVICES TO BUSINESSES

INITIATIVES UNDERTAKEN

CLIENTELE SERVED

5

6

STRONG COMMITMENT TO PROMOTING AND DEVELOPING KEY CLUSTERS

TARGETED ACTION TO PROMOTE THE QUÉBEC CITY METROPOLITAN REGION AND ITS INDUSTRIES

businesses and research centres working within 5 regional

hubs of excellences

economic and promotional publications showcasing the

economic vitality of the region

and its industries

awards and distinctions confirming Québec International

and the region’s position as

leaders on the national and

international stage

355

130Green and smart building

Optics-photonics

Life sciences

Digital arts and interactive entertainment

Health food

7

ATTRACTING FOREIGN INVESTMENT

Québec International offers support services to investors and foreign-owned subsidiaries. Our team provides a turnkey service to support them during each phase of their setup or expansion project.

A PROACTIVE STRATEGY FOR PROSPECTING IN TARGETED TERRITORIES

Québec International carried out 7 prospecting and

promotional missions. Our agency also spearheaded

initiatives in several Asian cities.

These activities gave us the opportunity to meet

with 167 businesses and potential investors and to

continue expanding our network of strategic partners.

businesses and

investors met

167

Result: considerable economic benefits for the regional economy

$57.2Min foreign investments and

economic benefits

9 165setup or expansion

projects

jobs created or

maintained

8

A PROGRAM OFFERING VISITS AND SUPPORT TO FOREIGN-OWNED SUBSIDIARIES

WELCOMING INVESTORS AND STRATEGIC PARTNERS ON RECONNAISSANCE MISSIONS TO QUÉBEC CITY

There are more than 200 subsidiaries of foreign corporations in the region, whose investments generate significant economic

impacts. In 2014, visits to subsidiaries allowed our experts to identify a number of expansion and consolidation projects.

In 2014, Québec International welcomed several delegations and investors from Europe, South and Central America, Asia,

the Middle East and the United States to Québec City.

foreign-owned

subsidiaries visited

42

14

economic

and official

delegations

25

businesses or

investors

39

activities to host

investors and

delegations

9

PROMOTING THE REGION AMONG BUSINESS NETWORKS WITH A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR INVESTMENT

Thanks to the efforts of Québec International and

its partners, in 2014, Québec City welcomed the first

meeting of the Industrial Asset Management Council

(IAMC) to ever be held outside the United States.

It was an excellent opportunity to promote the region

among influential players in industrial and corporate

real estate, many of which appear on the Fortune 500

list.

in tourism

benefits

$600,000

FERNANDO MORENO EGEA // Executive Chairman Verónica Olaya, General Counsel

SOLUTEX

In Québec City, Solutex found the people, the expertise and the resources it needed to innovate and to expand

into North America. Québec International’s team and its partners, including Investissement Québec, played a

key role in our decision to open a new subsidiary in Québec from where we run several of the R&D activities

that allow us to maintain both our technological edge and our position as a leader in the field of nutraceuticals,

natural-ingredient extraction and omega-3.

HELPING FOREIGN INVESTORS WITH SETUP OR SUBSIDIARY EXPANSION PROJECTS

Québec International supported the completion of

several investment projects in 2014.

in foreign investments

projects completed

jobs created or

maintained

$56.6M

9

165

”

”400

participants

10

SUPPORTING TRADE AND MARKET DEVELOPMENT

Québec International’s market development service helps businesses in the Québec City region take on foreign markets. Our team has a vast network of contacts and a wide range of services and initiatives to stimulate corporate competitiveness in global markets.

TRADE MISSIONS TO TARGET MARKETS

In 2014, our agency provided assistance to 130

businesses during 15 trade and exploratory

missions. Based on figures from these businesses,

these missions could generate benefits of $31.5M in

actual and potential sales. These missions also lead

to one foreign business setting up in the region,

3 industrial agreements and 4 agreements with

commercial intermediaries.15trade/exploratory

missions

$31.5Min actual/potential

sales declared


51.3M$in actual and potential sales

18 5trade and industrial

agreementsforeign expansion

projects

BUSINESS NETWORKING EVENTS AND WELCOMING FOREIGN BUYERS

11

In 2014, Québec International welcomed 10 buyers, contract givers and economic delegations that allowed 122 companies to

explore business opportunities with foreign partners and clients in Europe, Asia and North America.

TRAINING SESSIONS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE

In 2014, our agency organized 49 professional development activities to strengthen the trade and market development

skills of business managers. An estimated $3.7M in economic spinoff resulted from these sessions, which attracted over 1,300

participants.

1 300 participants

$3.7Min actual and potential

sales declared

49 training sessions and networking events

10activities to host

delegations/buyers

receptions

12

Québec International’s aid helped us identify our strengths and weaknesses and improve our marketing

practices. It also gave us the opportunity to participate in a custom mission designed to identify and meet

potential clients. The network of clients that we developed in just a few short months far exceeds our

expectations! In sum, Québec International’s team gave us the tools required to speed our expansion into our

target market, all while decreasing the risks and costs associated with this process

PATRICK SIROIS // CEOTRIODE

4 expansion projects

146 participating companies

11 trade and industrial

agreements

19new exporters

16.1M$

”

”

AN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND PERSONALIZED CONSULTING SERVICES ON EXPORTATION

In 2014, we provided 140 consultations through our front-line consulting services on product exportation. We also launched

an 18-month, step-by-step assistance program on foreign market development called SME Passport.

in actual and potential

sales declared

13

FOSTERING INNOVATION AND HI-TECH ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Québec International promotes hi-tech entrepreneurship and fosters innovative business practices. Our professionals offer personalized support services and innovative initiatives that boost the development and competitiveness of companies that strengthen the region’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.

A CONSULTING SERVICE FOR HI-TECH COMPANIES

In 2014, our professionals provided 85 consultations

to 64 businesses through our personalized

consulting service that helps entrepreneurs revise

their business plan, create a strategic marketing plan

and access funding.

Businesses that participated in 2014 attracted $17M

in potential and secured investments.85

$17Min actual and

potential

investmentsentrepreneurship

interventions


19.2M$ in research funding and

investments

12 11industrial consortiums partnership

agreements

14

A TRAINING PROGRAM AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP COMPETITIONS

DEVELOPMENT OF A BUSINESS CORRIDOR AND ACCESS TO A VAST NETWORK OF CONTACTS AND RESOURCES

In 2014, our agency helped 17 entrepreneurs

participate in FastTrac® TechVenture™, a program

that supports the start-up of technology-based

businesses.

We also launched 1 pilot project that sought to

foster sales for technology-based start-ups as well

as an entrepreneurship competition in which 7

companies in the video game industry participated.

In 2014, Québec International continued its efforts

to develop a business corridor with California. In

addition to our missions, we created CONEQT

Québec-Silicon Valley, a marketing assistance

program.

Our agency also partnered with 6 technology

accelerators in the United States.

25

6

start-ups benefited from

our support services

agreements

with technology

accelerators

QB3

CTA@Cleantech

Cambridge Innovation

Center

GrindRocket Space

Plug and Play

15

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES TO STIMULATE THE ENTREPRENEURSHIP ECOSYSTEM

SUPPORTING PROJECTS AND HOSTING INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES TO FOSTER INNOVATION

In 2014, our agency headed a delegation of 20

entrepreneurs at the International Startup Festival

and sponsored the PREconference at one of the

biggest investment meetings in the world.

Our agency also organized 5 activities on funding,

marketing, management and productivity that led

to 5 agreements between research centres and

businesses.

In 2014, our agency organized 16 activities/events and 1 high performance program to foster innovative practices among

businesses operating within the region’s key clusters. These initiatives attracted over 1000 participants.

Our agency also supported the creation of 12 industrial innovation consortiums and projects in life sciences, health food,

optics-photonics, and green and smart building. These initiatives generated an estimated $2.2M in economic benefits.

75partnerships between

research centres and

businesses

activities and events

on innovation and

entrepreneurship

I’d like to thank the whole team at Québec International. It was a terrific experience that I strongly recommend

for all future entrepreneurs. I cannot even imagine what the next year of work on my project would be like

without everything that I learned during the 10-day program! The feedback I got on my project and the course

work allowed me to examine my project in a different light, which will push me to take an important step in the

coming months.

ALAN BOUDREAULT // Participant FASTTRAC

”

”

$2.2Min economic benefits for the key clusters

industrial consortiums


1216

16

ATTRACTING QUALIFIED FOREIGN WORKERS

Québec International offers support services for attracting qualified foreign workers. By addressing the challenges linked to the hiring and integration of foreign workers, our team is able to help companies fulfill their labour needs. We also develop initiatives that promote the Québec City area to foreign workers.

A WIDE VARIETY OF SUPPORT SERVICES FOR HIRING FOREIGN WORKERS

In 2014, Québec International guided several businesses through the foreign recruitment process, which attracted 220 skilled

workers and brought the total number of newcomers to 550.

220 330skilled workers spouses/children


$25.9M in economic benefits

119 220participating companies

foreign workers recruited

+

17

MISSIONS TO RECRUIT QUALIFIED FOREIGN WORKERS IN TARGETED TERRITORIES

CONSULTING SERVICES ON INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY FOR EMPLOYERS

In 2014, our agency provided businesses in the

region with 40 free personalized consultations with

experts on international mobility. Our professionals

provided 28 international recruitment assessments

and took 110 front-line actions in order to assist

businesses with their recruitment and integration

strategies.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES FOR MANAGERS AND INFORMATION SESSIONS

In 2014, our agency offered businesses 13 training

sessions, workshops and events on international

mobility. Our agency also organized 13 information

sessions on permanent residency to facilitate the

retention of international students and individuals

recruited abroad.

In 2014, Québec International accompanied businesses from the Québec City region on 5 promotion and recruitment missions

in Europe and in Latin America. The latter was a virtual mission based on an innovative model that takes advantage of digital

solutions.

5recruitment/

promotion

missions

France

Belgium

Mexico

BrazilColombia

26activities/events

178actions for

businesses

18

Once again, Desjardins Group is pleased to rely on the expertise, strength and support of Québec

International for the event Journées Québec à Paris (Quebec in Paris days). Over the years, this

partnership has allowed us to hire competent and skilled workers in fields for which workforce shortages

are omnipresent. Numerous businesses partner with Québec International which allows us to, among

other things, improve our visibility, access more services and benefit from a structured organization and

professional development opportunities.

ÉMILIE VILLEMURE // Consultant - Strategic HR PlanningDESJARDINS GROUP

SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS LOOKING TO SETTLE IN THE QUÉBEC CITY REGION TO START A BUSINESS

PROMOTING THE QUÉBEC CITY REGION TO FOREIGN WORKERS

In 2014, our agency provided assistance to several

international entrepreneurs. This resulted in a

start-up project that generated an investment of

$400,000. Our professionals are currently working

with over 15 international entrepreneurs and,

therefore, additional projects could very well take

shape.

In 2014, there were 320,000 visits to the website Quebec First, the primary tool for communicating with foreign candidates.

This portal allowed companies to post close to 800 job offers and receive thousands of résumés. This bank of candidates now

contains close to 7,000 résumés - a 600% increase in the span of a year.

$400,000in investments

320,000 800 7,000visits to the site job offers posted résumés received

”

”

www.

19

DEVELOPING AND PROMOTING KEY CLUSTERS

Québec International fosters the development of regional industrial clusters in health food, digital arts and interactive entertainment, green and smart building, optics-photonics and life sciences. Our experts have intimate knowledge of these sectors and they work hard to develop promising initiatives for each of these industries.

Green and smart building

Optics-photonicsLife sciences Digital arts and interactive entertainment

Health food


$15.7M in benefits linked to industrial initiatives

12 57industrial

consortiumsevents, hosts and

trade missions

RECOGNIZED KEY CLUSTERS

Québec International promotes the development of 5 key regional clusters by implementing initiatives

that meet the specific needs of business in life sciences, optics-photonics, digital arts and interactive

entertainment, green and smart building, and health food.

20

7

1

2

4

3

3

5

7

6

2

2

4

industrial innovation

consortiums


consortium


consortiums

activities to host economic

delegations, international

buyers and investors

trade or exploratory missions

trade or exploratory missions

marketing/innovation support






partnerships with key

Canadian and foreign

clusters



clusters



clusters

DEVELOPING THE OPTICS-PHOTONICS INDUSTRYIn 2014, the strategies adopted by Québec International within the

framework of the ACCORD Capitale-Nationale initiative resulted in:

In 2014, the strategies adopted by Québec International as part of the

ACCORD Capitale-Nationale initiative resulted in:



$3MIN ECONOMIC

BENEFITS

DEVELOPING THE LIFE SCIENCES INDUSTRY$3M

IN ECONOMIC BENEFITS

DEVELOPING THE GREEN AND SMART BUILDING INDUSTRY$5.5M


21

Ubisoft has confirmed its intent to make its Québec studio a full-fledged AAA studio capable of leading the way

in next generation gaming. We are extremely pleased to be once again generating new investments in Québec

and creating more high value-added jobs. We would like to thank Québec International because without their

help we could not have attracted this investment. We consider ourselves lucky to work with them.

FRANCIS BAILLET // Vice President, Corporate AffairsUBISOFT ENTERTAINMENT INC.

2 3 12 2industrial innovation

consortiums

trade or exploratory missions marketing/innovation support



Canadian and foreign clusters

3 3 7 1activities to host economic

delegations, international buyers

and investors

trade or exploratory missions marketing/innovation support


partnership with a key

cluster abroad

”

”





DEVELOPING THE HEALTH FOODS INDUSTRY$2.8M


DEVELOPING THE DIGITAL ARTS AND INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY

$1.4MIN ECONOMIC

BENEFITS

22

PROMOTING THE REGION’S COMPETITIVE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

Québec International contributes to the Québec City’s national and international profile by adopting promotion strategies that highlight the region’s strengths. An undeniable reference on economic intelligence, our agency ensures the diffusion of up-to-date information on the business environment and the economy’s key industries.

In 2014, our agency produced 32 publications and analyses that provided a clear picture of the evolution of key

economic indicators for the Québec City region. Our agency also published 3 promotional brochures on the region’s

transportation infrastructure and expertise in insurance and financial services and the green and smart building.

PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS AND ECONOMIC STUDIES

32

economic publications

and analyses

3

promotional

brochures

23

awards and distinctions

for the region and for

Québec International

5

ENTRIES IN NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS

In 2014, our agency entered 7 distinguished competitions which led to 5 awards and honours.

Our professionals provided 125 media responses in 2014. These efforts, which generated over 200 mentions in the

regional, national and international media focused on the local economy, our agency and successful companies in the

region.

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL MEDIA STRATEGIES

mentions in national and

international media

KPMG’S COMPETITIVE ALTERNATIVES

> Québec City ranked first in the world among cities with between

500,000 and 2 million inhabitants

TOP CANADIAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GROUP

> Québec International ranked among the top 10 economic

development groups in the country for an eighth consecutive year

STARTUP CANADA

> Québec City was awarded the title of Startup Community of the

Year

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

> Québec International received 2 awards: one for its newsletter

and one for its entrepreneurship assistance program

204

24

Our agency’s professionals had the opportunity

to give conferences at 17 regional, national

and international events. Moreover,

26 presentations were given to strategic

liaisons and international partners.

conferences and

presentations that

showcased the region

DIGITAL MARKETING STRATEGIES

Increasingly, promotional efforts focus on digital

platforms. Thus, in 2014, Québec International

launched a new mobile application to release its

publications.

In addition to this new application, our internet

site received over 165,000 visits during the

year while our newsletters now have 5,500

subscriptions and our social media sites have

over 14,000 followers.

5,500

subscriptions to

our newsletters

14,000

social media

followers

165,000

visits to our website

POSITIONING STRATEGIES FOR STRATEGIC LIAISONS

43

KEVIN DOLLHOPF // Vice President, Worldwide Real Estate

HANEBRANDS INC.

The forum was a tremendous success! Québec City and Canada left a very positive impression on IAMC

participants. IAMC would also like to sincerely thank you for your leadership, enthusiasm, help and cooperation

during planning and the forum itself. We couldn’t have done it without you!

“ “

www.

25

THANKS TO OUR OTHER FINANCIAL PARTNERS Bell

Business Development Bank of Canada

Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec

CAP 2.0

Collège François-de-Laval

Conférence régionale des élus de la Capitale-Nationale

Deloitte

Desjardins and Caisse populaire Desjardins de Québec

École des Ursulines

EDC

Emploi-Québec

Export Québec

Fonds de solidarité FTQ

Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada

Groupe Perspective

HSBC

Joli-Cœur Lacasse

Ministère des Relations internationales et de la Francophonie

Momentum Technologies

Phoenix

Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton

ROBIC

Ubisoft

THANKS TO OUR MAJOR GOVERNMENT PARTNERS

Canada Economic Development

Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et des Exportations

Secrétariat à la Capitale-Nationale

Ville de Québec

2014

quebecinternational.ca

FOLLOW US ON :

SUCCESS AT HOME AND ABROAD

1175, Lavigerie Avenue, suite 300Québec City (Québec) G1V 4P1

418 681-9700 [email protected]

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