Speaking Points
The Honourable Paradis, PC, MP
Minister of Industry
Barcelona, Spain
February 25, 2013
Check Against Delivery
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and thank you for being here this morning.
On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to welcome you to the official opening of the Canada Pavilion at Mobile World Congress Twenty Thirteen.
It's fantastic to have the representatives of so many innovative Canadian firms here, displaying their technology and innovative solutions to the world.
Mobile World Congress has been a key global event for Canadian ICT companies looking to expand their sales, services and operations in Europe and around the world.
Last year, more than three hundred business-to-business meetings, with some of the biggest multinational firms and telecom providers in the world, took place here.
In fact, Canadian companies accounted for five percent of all exhibitors at Mobile World Congress Twenty Twelve.
I am delighted to see that we have another strong presence this year. With Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic region represented here in Barcelona, Canada is on track for another successful—and productive—Mobile World Congress.
I note that there are also a number of foreign multinational firms with a substantial presence here. What most people don't know is that many of these firms are deploying Canadian innovations—our innovations, our technologies, our ingenuity.
To support your efforts to export goods and services to the world, I will be stressing every chance I get:
- that Canada truly is the best place in the world to invest and that we are open for business;
- that Canada is focused on becoming a leading digital economy; and
- that Canada has the talent, capabilities and ICT firms that are at the forefront of global innovation.
Being a leading digital economy will boost Canada's productivity and enhance our global competitiveness—by supporting the growth of innovation, encouraging industry to create and adopt new digital technologies, and developing tomorrow's digital workforce.
Our government also strongly encourages a growing, innovative ICT sector that competes successfully in world markets.
On that note, it is my pleasure to offer you my support and wish you success as you showcase Canadian ICT capabilities for the world to see.
Thank you again, and best wishes for a successful Congress.
