THE ACTIVITY IN BRIEF
On October 27, our guest experts will speak to you about the multiple business and investment opportunities available to you in Europe’s four most dynamic economic regions.
Explore the Baden-Württemberg, Rhône-Alpes, Lombardy, and Catalonia regions.
Seize the great commercial potential of these markets and get up to date on the most recent sectoral prospects in order to expand, consolidate your position, and begin to grow your company on the Old Continent.
Come meet businesses and research centres from these regions to discuss possible collaborations within the context of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
Take advantage of a B2B session and a networking cocktail party to develop your network of contacts.
» View the profiles of firms in the European delegation here.
» To see the preliminary program, click here.
A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO…
- Discover research & innovation opportunities
- Understand the markets’ business contexts and their development
- Get up to date on various sectoral prospects
- Assess and improve your expansion strategy for these vast markets
- Identify business opportunities for your company
- Develop a network of contacts and diverse potential partners
- Explore entrepreneurship support programs, tools, and measures on these markets
- Grasp the implications of the free trade agreement between Canada and Europe
WHY THE FOUR MOTORS FOR EUROPE?
Four of the most prosperous and innovative regions in the EU came together over 25 years ago, under the name of The Four Motors for Europe (4ME).
In brief:
| Catalonia (Spain) |
- Marked interest in the development of innovative and eco-responsible products, clean energy, and avant-garde technology
- Represents over 19% of Spain’s GDP
- Highest maritime traffic in all of Europe (Port of Barcelona)
- Represents 30% of Spain’s foreign trade (€58.382 M, 2013)
- An industrial magnet (5,700 inbound businesses)
- Highly diversified industrial clusters
- The busiest tourist destination in the world
- Signed a collaboration agreement with Quebec in 1996
|
| Lombardy (Italy) |
- Lombardy’s business/population ratio is among the highest in the European Union
- Host of the global Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life expo in 2015 (focusing on nutrition, energy, and sustainable development)
- One of Europe’s major financial centres
- 20% of Italian GDP (4th highest in Europe)
- 28% of national exports
- A per capita GDP that is 29% higher than the national average and 37% higher than the average for the European Union
- The leading Italian region in terms of both the volume and value of its commercial trade with foreign markets
- Signed a collaboration agreement with Quebec in 2001
|
| Rhône-Alpes (France) |
- Pharmaceutical, eco-friendly chemical, electronics, software, medical equipment, and electric vehicle sectors
- A €1 billion budget to develop seven smart specialization fields, selected for their competitive advantage at the European level
- Ranked 2nd in France and 6th in the European Union in terms of regions with the highest GDP
- Cutting-edge industries focused on exporting
- A scientific research hub (8 universities, 35 major schools)
- 20 years of cooperation with Quebec
|
| Baden-Württemberg (Germany) |
- Highly competitive SMEs and multinationals such as Porsche, Bosch, andTrumpf
- One of the highest participation rates in Europe (74% in 2010), and a level of R&D investment of 4.6% versus 2.8% on a national level
- Industry sectors: automotive, chemical and metallurgical, mechanical engineering, medical, environmental, and heavy machinery
- Key markets for SMEs (99.4% of all businesses)
- A global leader in the automobile and electronics markets
- A per capita GDP that is 31% higher than average for states in the European Union
- A research and development leader (4.8% of GDP, leading Europe’s 97 regions)
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The Four Motors for Europe – additional facts and figures:
- A market of 35 million consumers
- The best tax deduction systems for businesses
- The most industrialized regions in Europe
- Per capita GDP ranging from €22,800 to €33,700
- Average GDP of €269 million
- Easy access to markets in the Mediterranean basin
- World fashion capitals (Barcelona, Milan)
- Among the most advantageous operating costs in the world (rent, energy, telecommunications)
- Some of the most efficient transportation systems in the world
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
The activity will be of particular interest to companies in the following sectors:
- Aerospace industry
- Automobile industry, electric vehicles
- Clean, renewable energy
- Environmental technology
- Information technology and communications
- Agri-food, wine, gourmet products
- Forestry products (lumber, pulp and paper)
- Chemical and petroleum products
- Exploitation of natural resources, mining equipment
- Machinery
- Metallurgical industry
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Electronics industry
- Engineering, construction, civil and transportation infrastructures
- Industrial design
- Tourism industry
- Decorative objects, furniture
- Personal products, jewellery, cosmetics
- Health care and services, medical equipment
- Fashion, clothing and textiles
- Life sciences
- Biotechnology, micro and nanotechnology
- Robotics
- New media, video games
- Software
Explore opportunities for Quebec companies in the four pillars of Europe’s economy.
In partnership with: