MTL @ Paris: Creative SMEs bring the city visibility in Paris

Montréal, April 1, 2015 – The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal and its team of international trade experts, the World Trade Centre Montréal, are currently on a trade mission to Paris. Nine companies from the high-tech sectors, creative industries and the fashion industry are taking part. This trade mission, running from March 30 to April 3, is being conducted as part of MTL @ Paris, a Tourisme Montréal initiative that the Board of Trade is involved in, to offer Montréal exposure on the French market and creating lasting ties between the two cities.

Since the beginning of the trade mission, participating companies have had many opportunities to network and establish business relationships with potential partners. They have had the chance to meet prominent Parisian organizations such as the Société d’exploitation de la tour Eiffel, the Louvre, the Grévin Museum, Galeries Lafayette, Le Bon Marché and the Fondation Louis Vuitton. The five fashion businesses are also presenting their collections in the Parisian showroom No Season, with invitations being sent to the French fashion press and buyers.

“Paris is one of the main European centres for the digital industries and one of the world’s fashion capitals,” said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal. “So it was a logical choice for giving local creative businesses international exposure. But this is a highly competitive market, and this trade mission gives businesses a chance to make their presence felt and enjoy increased visibility.”

“This trade mission is also important because it allows Montréal businesses to position themselves in anticipation of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with the European Union coming into effect,” Michel Leblanc said. “France is the ideal gateway because it is the third leading destination for Quebec exports, and Paris is an excellent jumping-off point for other European cities, such as Berlin, London and Rome. We are confident that the business relationships formed during this trade mission will lead to an increase in trade between our two cities.”

“The meetings organized as part of this trade mission are giving French companies a chance to size up the potential of Montréal businesses and establish a solid foundation for future partnerships,” said Fahima Sadaoui-Ramos, North American advisor with the Chambre de commerce et d'industrie Paris Île-de-France. “Plus the relationships and knowledge developed will help the CCI Paris better promote Paris in Montréal, and a Paris @ MTL event could even be organized in the coming months.”

“Our company’s objective for this trade mission was to test the potential of the Parisian market,” Félix Marzell, co-founder of DIX au carré, said. “Not only are we now convinced, but also the French companies we met with seem very receptive. In addition to showcasing Montréal’s creativity, MTL @ Paris is an opportunity to draw inspiration from the creativity of French companies and see how it’s done here. What with this trade mission and the Board of Trade’s support, we are confident that DIX au carré will soon be tackling projects in Paris.”

Companies participating in this trade mission will be available for interviews. They are:

• Adorable Outerwear
• Nisse
• Eläma
• KQK
• Lalli
• Logiciels SoftCollab Inc.
• gsmprjct°technologie
• DIX au carré
• Sid Lee Labs

For more information about the trade mission to Paris for the technology and creative industries, click here.

For more information about the trade mission to Paris for the fashion industry, click here.

About the trade mission to Paris

The trade mission to Paris is organized by the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal’s team of experts in international trade, the World Trade Centre Montréal, in cooperation with Tourisme Montréal and the Chambre de commerce et d'industrie Paris Île-de-France, and with the support of the Québec Government Office in Paris, the Canadian Embassy in France, the Montréal Fashion Bureau and TechnoMontréal.

The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal has over 7,000 members. Its mission is to be the voice of Montréal’s business community and to promote the city’s prosperity. It is involved in key areas of economic development, advocating a philosophy of action based on engagement, credibility, proactivity, collaboration and innovation. The Board of Trade also offers a range of specialized services to individuals and to business of all sizes to support them in their growth at home and abroad.

With the help of its World Trade Montréal experts, the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal offers international trade services to the extended business community, with the support of Canada Economic Development.

- 30 -

Source:
Michelle LLambias Meunier
Advisor, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Tel.: 514 871-4000, ext. 4042