Quebec and Ottawa award almost $2.6 million to Carrefour Québec International
News release
Export assistance for the Centre-du-Québec, Estrie and Mauricie regions
Drummondville, May 15, 2019 – The governments of Quebec and Canada are providing a total of $2,571,000 in funding over three years for Carrefour Québec International (CQI), a regional export promotion organization (ORPEX) that helps businesses in the Centre-du-Québec, Mauricie and Estrie regions penetrate markets outside Quebec.
The announcement was made today by Marie-Eve Proulx, Minister for Regional Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Chaudière‑Appalaches, Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine regions; André Lamontagne, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Minister responsible for the Centre-du-Québec region; and the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions.
To help the organization ensure its operations and carry out its export support activities, the cost of which is estimated at $3,413,000, the Ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation (MEI) has awarded $1,080,000 under the “organizations” component of the Programme Exportation (PEX); CED has provided a $1,491,000 non-repayable contribution via the Quebec Economic Development Program.
ORPEXes help businesses in various aspects, for instance:
- obtain basic exporting information;
- receive a diagnosis regarding their export capacity;
- organize their activities aimed at breaking into foreign markets;
- develop an international business plan;
- find out about funding opportunities for their export projects; and
- get specialized training.
Quotes
“The Government of Quebec is committed to helping Quebec businesses grow their exports and diversify their markets. This is why, in our Budget Plan, we set aside $35 million over five years to enhance the Programme Exportation, with a view to increasing the number of Quebec companies that export, and supporting the diversification and consolidation of export markets. The ORPEXes are doing a tremendous job on the ground equipping entrepreneurs to ensure they are adequately prepared for the realities of international markets. The Quebec government is proud to provide them with the means to accomplish their mission.”
Marie-Eve Proulx, Minister for Regional Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Chaudière‑Appalaches, Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine regions
“CED is proud to have been involved in the funding of ORPEXes since their creation in 1990. Unique to Quebec, these organizations contribute, not only to the attainment of CED’s targets for the global commercialization and positioning of businesses, but also to the ambitious goal set by the Government of Canada of a 30% increase in Canadian exports by 2025. By focusing on the importance of innovation, this renewed funding will equip businesses in the Centre-du-Québec, Estrie and Mauricie regions with tools to favourably position themselves in a highly competitive global ecosystem.”
The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for CED
“CQI supports businesses wishing to start exporting, or looking to increase their international sales, by providing them with export-related group training and one-on-one guidance. Thanks to the commitment of the members of its Board of Directors, the organization is well aware of the realities, challenges and export needs faced by business leaders in the Centre-du-Québec, Mauricie and Estrie regions. Currently, Quebec imports much more than it exports; ORPEXes can help us reverse this trend.”
André Lamontagne, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Minister responsible for the Centre-du-Québec region
“Our government offers its full support to small businesses. It strives to reduce their administrative burden and help them get started, grow, and penetrate new markets. The prosperity of small businesses means economic growth and job creation for the middle class.”
Richard Hébert, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion
Quick facts
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For over 20 years now, CQI has been helping companies grow their business outside Quebec. Located in the Centre-du-Québec, Mauricie and Estrie regions, it assists companies in all aspects of their export projects.
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The “organizations” component of the PEX contributes to the funding of Quebec organizations that offer export assistance services and projects.
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CED is one of the six regional development agencies under the responsibility of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.
Contacts
Mathieu St-Amand
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister
for Regional Economic Development
and Minister responsible for the
Chaudière-Appalaches, Bas-Saint-Laurent
and Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine regions
Tel.: 418-691-5650
Laurence Voyzelle
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Food
and Minister responsible for the
Centre-du-Québec region
Tel.: 418-380-2525
Jean-Pierre D’Auteuil
Media Relations Officer
Communications Directorate
Ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation
Tel.: 418-691-691-5698, ext. 4868
Cell: 418-559-0710
Media Relations
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Tel.: 514-283-7443
Email: dec.media.ced@canada.ca
Related links
To receive real-time news releases from the MEI, subscribe to the appropriate RSS news feed at www.economie.gouv.qc.ca/rss (in French only).
To find out more about CED and its priorities, see the 2019–2020 Departmental Plan or visit www.dec‑ced.gc.ca.
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