Montréal, September 16, 2016 ‒ Yesterday the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal presented its recommendations about the future of the manufacturing sector to the Ville de Montréal’s Standing Committee on Economic and Urban Development and Housing. The manufacturing sector’s vitality is essential for the business community. The industry accounts for 13.4% of the GDP of Greater Montréal and 220,000 jobs in the region.
“The Ville de Montréal’s consultations couldn’t be better timed,” said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal. “With the emergence of new technologies such as robotics and 3D printing, we are seeing the start of a new industrial era likely to develop near major urban centres. We can revitalize Montréal’s manufacturing sector if we leverage our ability to innovate and effectively market our products.”
Leverage Montréal’s strengths
“The Board of Trade supports the Ville de Montréal’s intention to adopt a global vision for restoring growth in the manufacturing sector and encourages it to bring its efforts in line with those of other levels of government,” Michel Leblanc said. “The Ville de Montréal should also build on the strengths of its economic base and encourage clusters to look at what can be done to strengthen the manufacturing component of their respective fields. Montréal is also recognized for its digital, design and transportation electrification strategy. It is important that the Ville de Montréal’s efforts in the manufacturing sector strengthen these important initiatives.”
“Montréal has what it takes to redeploy a dynamic, leading-edge manufacturing sector,” Mr. Leblanc said. “The quality of its labour and the vitality of its technical schools and universities are absolutely essential in an era of automation and digital production chains. Maintaining this competitive advantage is one of the keys to success for any manufacturing strategy.”
Foster the competitiveness of the city’s business environment
“The nature of manufacturing activities requires the fluid movement of goods and easy access to strategic port and airport infrastructures,” Michel Leblanc said. “We know that the quality of the transportation network and access to a flexible logistics chain are essential to a business’s decision to invest. To have a winning manufacturing sector, Montréal needs to solve the problems of traffic and access to strategic infrastructures. A strong manufacturing sector needs a fluid transportation network.”
“It is important to have the right conditions to attract, create and grow manufacturing businesses,” Mr. Leblanc said. “The tax system and financial support available need to be competitive. In an economy that is increasingly international, it is more important to reinforce Montréal’s positioning as a strategically located business city to create and grow a modern manufacturing business that is well integrated to the global transportation and logistics chain. The Board of Trade encourages the Ville de Montréal to continue in its efforts internationally and is committed to working in partnership with international trade organizations to increase the city’s influence and encourage local businesses to export more.”
The brief that presents the Board of Trade’s recommendations to the Standing Committee on Economic and Urban Development and Housing can be consulted by clicking here.
About the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is made up of 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 businesses of all sizes to support them in their growth at home and abroad.
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Source:
Guillaume Bérubé
Advisor, Media Relations
Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal
Tel.: 514 871-4000, ext. 4042
gberube@ccmm.ca
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