Canadian businesses to benefit from a Foreign Trade Zone point in the Québec City metropolitan area

The designation will help businesses facilitate exports and create jobs for the middle class

QUÉBEC CITY, Aug. 30, 2017 /CNW/ - [Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)] - Local businesses in the Québec City area will enjoy new job opportunities following the creation of the new Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) point.

This designation was announced today, in the presence of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade, and Joël Lightbound, Member of Parliament for Louis-Hébert and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for CED.

The FTZ point will promote the Québec City metropolitan area as a hub for international trade, leveraging its location in North America, direct access to the United States and solid manufacturing base to attract new investors.

Designating this new FTZ point aligns with the Government of Canada's priorities to help businesses integrate into international markets and global value chains.

Quotes

"Québec City is home to many ambitious innovative businesses that have marketed their products and services around the world. The area's designation as a Foreign Trade Zone point will simplify access to government programs and services by establishing a single window to help local businesses optimize their exports, thus generating more jobs in Canada."

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade

"This is a key designation for Québec City. As an FTZ point, its ability to attract investment and help local businesses access foreign markets is further enhanced. I am pleased about today's announcement; this will help ensure regional growth from a global perspective."

Joël Lightbound, Member of Parliament for Louis-Hébert in the House of Commons and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health

"I am very pleased about this good news for families in our region. The designation of Québec City as a Foreign Trade Zone point will undoubtedly provide additional leverage for the creation of good, well-paying jobs, thus helping Canadians capitalize on the development of our economy and ensuring growth for the middle class."

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Member of Parliament for Québec City in the House of Commons

"As a trading nation, Canada recognizes the strong connection between trade and good, well-paying jobs. We are proud to designate the Québec City metropolitan area as the first Foreign Trade Zone point in Quebec. We are committed to strengthening this region as an international hub with world market accessibility."

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister responsible for CED

"Canada's approach in establishing Foreign Trade Zone points, allowing businesses to choose locations that best meet their needs, is very innovative. This clearly makes Quebec a prime place for foreign investment, which generates benefits for all of our regions."

Jean D'Amour, Minister for Maritime Affairs and Minister responsible for the Bas-Saint-Laurent region

"Québec City's designation as the first Foreign Trade Zone point in the province is a pioneering step for its economic growth, helping it attract foreign enterprises to Québec City and stimulate international trade for local enterprises. In addition to contributing to Québec City's economic development objectives, the Foreign Trade Zone point will support the development priorities of the Port of Québec, Jean-Lesage International Airport and the new regional industrial port zone, thus strengthening Québec City's position as the European gateway to trade in North America."

Régis Labeaume, Mayor of Québec City

"Our industrial and technological development strategy builds on winning conditions to welcome new businesses to Lévis. With 14 industrial zones and parks in the area, the City of Lévis is responsive to the needs of businesses and firmly supports innovative economic initiatives."

Gilles Lehouillier, Mayor of Lévis

"Québec International is proud to contribute to the economic development of the Québec City metropolitan area and its international outreach. The establishment of a Foreign Trade Zone point in the area, along with our know-how and our expertise in commercialization/exports and in attracting foreign investment, provides additional leverage to grow our business services and promote the area."

Carl Viel, Chief Executive Officer, Québec International

"The Port of Québec is a genuine hub for international trade in Québec City, and activities related to Québec City's port infrastructure generate an estimated $1.35B in benefits across Canada, as well as over 13,000 high-quality jobs. This designation as the first Foreign Trade Zone point in Quebec is a growth-generating action for the maritime economy of our greater port area."

Mario Girard, Chief Executive Officer, Port of Québec

"The designation as a Foreign Trade Zone point is an important step for the greater Québec City area. This will bring comparative advantages that will undoubtedly provide leverage in attracting new manufacturing businesses to our area. The Québec City Jean-Lesage International Airport, just like the Québec City area, will benefit fully from this new tool and the resulting economic activity."

Gaëtan Gagné, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aéroport de Québec Inc.

Quick facts

• The Québec City area is a strategic location near the St. Lawrence River. The area is a major gateway to the Great Lakes and to the industrial heart of North America, thus increasing the area's connectivity with the rest of the continent as well as its multi-modal capabilities.
• This is the ninth FTZ point in Canada and the first in Quebec.
• The Foreign Trade Zone point will help businesses access all the information on programs related to the Foreign Trade Zone concept, including the Duties Relief Program, the Drawback Program, the Customs Bonded Warehouses Program, the Export Distribution Centre Program and the Exporters of Processing Services Program.
• To establish the Québec City Foreign Trade Zone point, Québec International partnered with the cities of Québec and Lévis, the Port of Québec and the Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport.

Related link
Information on Foreign Trade Zones (Department of Finance Canada)

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SOURCE Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions