1. ANNUAL
REPORT
2013
HIGHLIGHTS

2. OUR MISSION
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT AND
INTERNATIONAL
OUTREACH
As a regional economic development agency, Québec International has been mandated by all
three levels of government to support business growth, develop key economic sectors, and
attract talent and investment to the region.
RENOWNED FOR THE EXCELLENCE OF ITS SERVICES,
QUÉBEC INTERNATIONAL HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED FOR
THE 7TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR AS THE “TOP CANADIAN ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT GROUP” BY SITE SELECTION MAGAZINE, 2013.
2

3. OUR ROLE
PROVIDE ONE-STOP
SERVICE FOR SUCCESS
AT HOME AND ABROAD
As a truly integrated economic development agency, we offer a wide range of support services
for businesses and investors in the Quebec City Metropolitan Region.
Our mandate is to:
> Attract foreign investment
> Develop and promote clusters of excellence
> Promote market development and exports
> Foster hi-tech entrepreneurship and innovation
> Attract skilled foreign workers
> Promote the Quebec City region’s competitiveness
3

4. 4
ANNUAL
REPORT2013
HIGHLIGHTS

5. 5
2013 IN NUMBERS
9 awards and distinctions
29 international missions
34 economic and promotional publications
42 delegations and companies hosted
116 activities, events, and support programs
202foreign workers recruited
359interventions through our three consulting services
980companies and research centres assisted
3,750participants at our activities
$204,600,000 in real and potential economic benefits

6. 6
ANNUAL
REPORT2013
PROMOTE
THE QUEBEC
CITY REGION’S
COMPETITIVENESS
QUÉBEC INTERNATIONAL PROMOTES THE REGION
BY DEPLOYING EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES TO SHOWCASE
ITS STRENGTHS ON THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL
STAGE. AS A TRUE LEADER IN THE FIELD OF ECONOMIC
INTELLIGENCE, THE AGENCY DISSEMINATES UP-TO-DATE
INFORMATION ON THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT AND
KEY SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY.
OUR TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS
AND ECONOMISTS:
> Provides statistics on major economic indicators
> Provides access to up-to-date information on local investment conditions
> Conducts quality regional economic studies and analyses
> Ensures regional participation in national and international rankings
> Produces promotional material showcasing the region and its industries
> Develops and deploys marketing and media strategies
01

7. 7
INITIATIVES IN 2013
34 economic and promotional publications
50 seminars and presentations on the business environment
10 candidacies for national and international awards and distinctions
135 media interventions promoting the region and its business community
RESULTS IN 2013
9 awards and distinctions for the region and the Agency
230 mentions by regional, national, and international media outlets
12,300 subscriptions to our promotional newsletters and social media sites
153,000 visits to the Québec International web portal
“The Excellence in Economic Development Awards program recognizes Québec International
as a world leader in the sector for its innovation, creativity, and winning strategies. Québec
International develops original solutions and ingenious ideas, a great example that other
regions could learn and benefit from. This award recognizes and acknowledges Québec
International’s commitment to its growth and to that of industry as a whole.”
PAUL KRUTKO, Chair
International Economic Development Council

8. 8
ANNUAL
REPORT2013
ATTRACTING
FOREIGN
INVESTMENT
QUÉBEC INTERNATIONAL OFFERS SUPPORT
SERVICES TO FOREIGN INVESTORS AND SUBSIDIARIES
OF FOREIGN CORPORATIONS, PROVIDING TURNKEY
SUPPORT AT EVERY PHASE OF THEIR ESTABLISHMENT
OR EXPANSION PROJECT.
OUR FOREIGN
INVESTMENT TEAM:
> Provides assistance during the investment project planning phase
> Identifies applicable funding sources and tax programs
> Introduces investors to key partners and business professionals
> Locates, evaluates, and visits the best sites
> Provides support for the consolidation and expansion of business activities
> Provides specialized support for international entrepreneurs
02

9. 9
INITIATIVES IN 2013
10 prospecting and promotional missions in target regions
135 meetings with companies and new investors
26 activities to host investors and economic delegations in Quebec City
33 visits to subsidiaries of foreign corporations in the Quebec City region
RESULTS IN 2013
7 investment projects announced or underway
$115 million in investments announced during the year
550 jobs created or maintained
28 active files with a potential value of $280 million
“Quebec City’s vitality stems from the smart city concept, the quality of life it offers its
residents, the access to highly qualified workers and the collaboration between the academic
and scientific communities. It’s an environment conducive to innovation and research, and
that’s why we chose it.”
RICHARD GRENIER, Manager
Thales Research and Technology Canada

10. 10
ANNUAL
REPORT2013
ATTRACTING
SKILLED FOREIGN
WORKERS
QUÉBEC INTERNATIONAL PROVIDES SERVICES
TO ASSIST IN ATTRACTING SKILLED FOREIGN
WORKERS. OUR TEAM CAN HELP COMPANIES MEET
THE CHALLENGES RELATED TO HIRING AND
INTEGRATING FOREIGN WORKERS. WE ALSO DEPLOY
INITIATIVES TO PROMOTE THE QUEBEC CITY REGION
WITH WORKERS ABROAD.
OUR EXPERTS PROVIDE COMPANIES
AND WORKERS WITH:
> International recruitment missions to regions with strong potential
> A job posting platform and résumé management software
> Management assistance in hiring foreign workers
> Partnerships with public employment services and recruitment agencies
(head hunters)
A human resources diagnostic service
Professional development activities and programs for HR managers
Educational activities on permanent residency
Hosting and moderating of a Web portal and a discussion forum for foreign workers
03

11. 11
INITIATIVES IN 2013
4 recruitment and promotion missions to target regions
27 international mobility training and information activities
137 companies involved in missions and other initiatives
355 people reached through workshops on permanent residency
RESULTS IN 2013
5 international entrepreneurs set up shop in the Quebec City region
202 foreign workers recruited by Quebec City companies
500 new arrivals, including spouses and children (2,600 since 2008)
$30.1 million in economic benefits for the region
“Since 2008, Industrial Alliance has participated in international recruitment missions
that have enabled us to recruit IT workers who would otherwise be difficult to find in a
highly competitive market. The personalized initiatives and support services provided by
Québec International open up new international markets that can meet our recruiting needs.
International recruiting has become a crucial tool for an increasingly diverse range
of industries.”
SOPHIE SAVAGE, Talent Acquisition Advisor
Industrial Alliance, Insurance and Financial Services Inc.
Université Laval

12. 12
ANNUAL
REPORT2013
SUPPORT
FOR MARKET
DEVELOPMENT
AND EXPORTS
QUÉBEC INTERNATIONAL PROVIDES A MARKET
DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT SERVICE TO HELP QUEBEC
CITY COMPANIES TAKE ON THE WORLD. OUR TEAM
BOASTS A VAST NETWORK OF CONTACTS AND A WIDE
RANGE OF SERVICES AND INITIATIVES TO BOOST
THE COMPETITIVENESS OF QUEBEC CITY COMPANIES
IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS.
OUR EXPERTS PROVIDE
COMPANIES WITH:
Personalized export assistance and consulting services
Trade missions to target markets around the world
Business networking and international buyer hosting activities
Information on business opportunities
Strategic information on international markets
Professional development activities on international trade
Preferential access to an extensive network of partners and experts
Strategic intelligence to identify business opportunities
04

13. 13
INITIATIVES IN 2013
15 trade and exploratory missions to target regions
16 activities to host economic delegations and foreign buyers
54 professional and business development activities
1,490 participants in Québec International initiatives
RESULTS IN 2013
24 new exporters assisted during the year
$35.1 million in reported sales, both actual and potential
5 trade and industrial agreements negotiated by Quebec city companies
2 local companies that set up operations in foreign countries
“The SME Passport Program has enabled us to put more energy into our business development
efforts by supporting prospecting activities and helping us make contact with the right people.
The program provides effective and flexible ways to adapt market development efforts to the
business reality of our company.”
CHARLES LEDUC, Manager – Business Development
Opsens

14. 14
ANNUAL
REPORT2013
SUPPORT
FOR HI-TECH
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
AND INNOVATION
QUÉBEC INTERNATIONAL SUPPORTS THE DEVELOPMENT
OF HI-TECH ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND FACILITATES
INCREASED INNOVATION BY COMPANIES. OUR
PROFESSIONALS PROVIDE PERSONALIZED SUPPORT
AND INNOVATIVE INITIATIVES TO BOOST BUSINESS
GROWTH AND COMPETITIVENESS AND STIMULATE
THE REGION’S ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM.
OUR EXPERTS OFFER:
Coaching, mentoring, and assistance to hi-tech companies
Contacts with national and international investor networks
Professional development programs and business competitions
Support for the creation of industrial innovation consortiums
Initiatives to support open innovation practices, RD, and technology transfer
International partnerships aimed at stimulating the entrepreneurial ecosystem
05

15. 15
INITIATIVES IN 2013
5 high-level assistance and training programs
32 activities and events supporting innovation and entrepreneurship
74 interventions through our entrepreneurship consulting service
1,450 participants in Québec International initiatives
RESULTS IN 2013
$24.5 million in investments and research
13 innovation and business development projects
5 industrial innovation consortiums created
“In 2013, I participated in the Kauffman Foundation FastTrac TechVentureTM
Program in or-
der to fast-track the development and validation of my business idea. Despite our conviction
that our solution was a good one, we needed a fast, effective method to validate a series
of hypotheses. Thanks to the program, we had access to training and coaching in lean
startup, marketing, and intellectual property rights. The approach used in the program
was a great help in overcoming our limits and achieving our goals.”
FRÉDÉRIC PARÉ, President
Emindsafe

16. 16
ANNUAL
REPORT2013
SUPPORT FOR
THE CREATION
OF INDUSTRIAL
CLUSTERS
06
QUÉBEC INTERNATIONAL SUPPORTS THE CREATION
OF REGIONAL INDUSTRIAL CLUSTERS IN HEALTH FOODS,
DIGITAL ARTS AND INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT,
GREEN BUILDING, OPTICS-PHOTONICS, HEALTH SCIENCES,
AND TOURISM. OUR EXPERTS POSSESS IN-DEPTH
KNOWLEDGE OF THESE INDUSTRIES AND ARE HARD
AT WORK IMPLEMENTING EXCITING INITIATIVES FOR
EACH OF THEM.
OUR EXPERTS PROVIDE:
Support for the creation of industrial innovation consortiums
Activities and events meeting specific industry needs
Trade missions and business development activities
Capacity-building projects for developing clusters of excellence
Contacts with research centres involved with innovation strategies
Establishment of partnerships with international clusters of excellence
Promotion of industrial success stories and expertise from the region

17. 17
INITIATIVES IN 2013
12 trade and exploratory missions in target regions
8 activities to host economic delegations and foreign buyers
35 assistance activities, events, and programs
1,680 participants in activities organized by Québec International
RESULTS IN 2013
10 partnerships with canadian and foreign clusters of excellence
$18.6 million1
in market development and export spin-offs
$5.4 million1
in innovation and entrepreneurial spin-offs
5 industrial innovation consortiums created
“Our participation in a Health Food Consortium led to a profitable partnership with Chocolat
Vigneault, a company in the Quebec City region. It was during this activity that we had the idea
to develop a protein-enriched chocolate bar for our Ideal Protein product line. With the help
of our RD team and Chocolat Vigneault’s know-how, we were able to launch a new product on
the Canadian and American markets in only 6 months, and we’re planning a second product for
next year.”
FRANCIS CHÉNARD, VP, Business Development, RD
Pharmalab
1 These amounts were taken into account when calculating the economic benefits mentioned in the Support for Hi-tech Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Market
Development and Export sections.

18. THANK YOU TO OUR MAIN
PUBLIC PARTNERS
Canada Economic Development
City of Quebec
Emploi-Québec
Ministère des Finances et de l’Économie
Secrétariat à la Capitale-Nationale
The Caisse Desjardins de Québec has been a Québec International partner for four years now.
In that time, we’ve not only seen how professional this team is but, above all, how effective it
is. Québec International’s main strength is undoubtedly its ability to assemble a group of effective
and supportive partners and to assist businesses in the region. The leadership displayed by
the Québec International team enhances the region’s international profile and helps create a
dynamic business network with a view to fostering harmonious business development.”
ANDRÉ MARCEAU, General Manager
Caisse Desjardins de Québec
ANNUAL
REPORT2013
18

19. THANK YOU TO OUR
OTHER FINANCIAL PARTNERS
Bell
Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec
Cap’Idéal
Conférence régionale des élus de la Capitale-Nationale
Deloitte
Desjardins and the Caisse populaire Desjardins de Québec
EDC
Export Québec
Fonds de solidarité FTQ
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
Groupe Perspective
HSBC
Joli-Cœur Lacasse
Ministère de la Culture et des Communications
Ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés culturelles du Québec
Ministère des Relations internationales, de la Francophonie et du Commerce
extérieur du Québec
Momentum Technologies
ROBIC
19

20. SUCCESS AT HOME AND ABROAD
1175, avenue Lavigerie, bureau 300
Quebec City, QC, Canada, G1V 4P1
1-877-681-9700 or 1-418-681-9700
info@quebecinternational.ca
quebecinternational.ca
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