Montréal, April 9, 2015 – The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal and its team of international trade experts, the World Trade Centre Montréal, successfully concluded a trade mission to Paris on Friday, which took place from March 30 to April 3. Nine companies from the technology, creative and fashion industries took part. The trade mission was conducted as part of MTL @ Paris, a Tourisme Montréal initiative that the Board of Trade was involved in, to offer Montréal exposure on the French market and create lasting ties between the two cities. The joint effort also gave participants an important platform for showcasing their products.
With the support of the Chambre de commerce et d'industrie Paris Île-de-France, the Quebec Government Office in Paris, the Canadian Embassy in France, the Montréal Fashion Bureau and TechnoMontréal, participating companies benefited from many opportunities for networking to establish business relationships with potential partners. They met with 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 also presented their collections in the Parisian showroom No Season, with invitations sent to the French fashion press and buyers.
“The Board of Trade is proud that this trade mission helped Montréal gain international exposure as a creative city,” said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade. “Montréal businesses are increasingly recognized for their creativity, and it is important that we leverage this strength. We need to step up networking activities between the worlds of culture and business, and this trade mission was an excellent opportunity to do so, since Paris is one of the main European business centres and a cultural capital.”
“This trade mission is also important as an initial effort in anticipation of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with the European Union coming into effect,” Michel Leblanc said. “Paris was a logical choice because it is a gateway to Europe and an excellent jumping-off point for other major European cities.”
“We think that MTL @ Paris should become an annual event,” Mr. Leblanc said. “Paris is a very competitive market, and a sustained presence is what’s needed to succeed there. We can combine the event with visits to other major European cities. The Board of Trade is already planning other trade missions to European Union countries in 2015-2016 to help Montréal companies position themselves on this market. In fact, the Board of Trade would like Montréal businesses to join us for a December trade mission to Lyon as part of the Entretiens Jacques Cartier.”
“The French companies we met with were impressed by Montréal’s talent and creativity and showed a great deal of interest in working with local companies,” said Pierre Desrochers, chair of the Ville de Montréal’s Executive Committee, responsible for finance, major projects, human capital, corporate communications, legal affairs and real estate assessment. “They also told us that they wanted to benefit from our city’s business climate, which fosters business development. This trade mission will definitely have economic spinoffs and will have contributed to Montréal’s visibility in the French capital.”
“The reception our collection received in Paris was beyond our expectations,” said Rim Elias, co-creator of the Eläma by the Eliasisters collection. “Our presence at No Season gave us visibility not only in Paris, but also with buyers from other markets, such as Tokyo, Shanghai and Cologne. The Board of Trade’s support gave us confidence and helped us make new business contacts.”
“Having a number of creative companies from Montréal on a single trade mission lent impact and credibility to our message,” said Béatrice Côté, a producer with Sid Lee Labs, a recently launched arm of Sid Lee, dedicated to new technologies and experience design.
Companies participating in the trade mission were:
- Adorable Outerwear
- DIX au carré
- Eläma
- gsmprjct°technologie
- KQK
- Lalli
- Logiciels SoftCollab Inc.
- Nisse
- 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.
About the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
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.
About the World Trade Centre Montréal
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.
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Source:
Michelle LLambias Meunier
Advisor, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Tel.: 514 871-4000, ext. 4042
mllambias@ccmm.qc.ca
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