ANNUALREPORT

2013

HIGHLIGHTS

OUR MISSION

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INTERNATIONAL OUTREACHAs a regional economic development agency, Québec International has been mandated by all three levels of government to support business growth, develop key economic sectors, and attract talent and investment to the region.

RENOWNED FOR THE EXCELLENCE OF ITS SERVICES, QUÉBEC INTERNATIONAL HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED FOR THE 7TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR AS THE “TOP CANADIAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GROUP” BY SITE SELECTION MAGAZINE, 2013.

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OUR ROLE

PROVIDE ONE-STOP SERVICE FOR SUCCESS AT HOME AND ABROADAs a truly integrated economic development agency, we offer a wide range of support services for businesses and investors in the Quebec City Metropolitan Region.

Our mandate is to:

> Attract foreign investment

> Develop and promote clusters of excellence

> Promote market development and exports

> Foster hi-tech entrepreneurship and innovation

> Attract skilled foreign workers

> Promote the Quebec City region’s competitiveness

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HIGHLIGHTS

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2013 IN NUMBERS

9 awards and distinctions

29 international missions

34 economic and promotional publications

42 delegations and companies hosted

116 activities, events, and support programs

202 foreign workers recruited

359 interventions through our three consulting services

980 companies and research centres assisted

3,750 participants at our activities

$204,600,000 in real and potential economic benefits

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PROMOTE THE QUEBEC CITY REGION’S COMPETITIVENESS

QUÉBEC INTERNATIONAL PROMOTES THE REGION BY DEPLOYING EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES TO SHOWCASE ITS STRENGTHS ON THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL STAGE. AS A TRUE LEADER IN THE FIELD OF ECONOMIC INTELLIGENCE, THE AGENCY DISSEMINATES UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT AND KEY SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY.

OUR TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS AND ECONOMISTS:

> Provides statistics on major economic indicators

> Provides access to up-to-date information on local investment conditions

> Conducts quality regional economic studies and analyses

> Ensures regional participation in national and international rankings

> Produces promotional material showcasing the region and its industries

> Develops and deploys marketing and media strategies

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INITIATIVES IN 201334 economic and promotional publications

50 seminars and presentations on the business environment

10 candidacies for national and international awards and distinctions

135 media interventions promoting the region and its business community

RESULTS IN 20139 awards and distinctions for the region and the Agency

230 mentions by regional, national, and international media outlets

12,300 subscriptions to our promotional newsletters and social media sites

153,000 visits to the Québec International web portal

“The Excellence in Economic Development Awards program recognizes Québec International

as a world leader in the sector for its innovation, creativity, and winning strategies. Québec

International develops original solutions and ingenious ideas, a great example that other

regions could learn and benefit from. This award recognizes and acknowledges Québec

International’s commitment to its growth and to that of industry as a whole.”

PAUL KRUTKO, ChairInternational Economic Development Council

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ATTRACTING FOREIGN INVESTMENT

QUÉBEC INTERNATIONAL OFFERS SUPPORT SERVICES TO FOREIGN INVESTORS AND SUBSIDIARIES OF FOREIGN CORPORATIONS, PROVIDING TURNKEY SUPPORT AT EVERY PHASE OF THEIR ESTABLISHMENT OR EXPANSION PROJECT.

OUR FOREIGN INVESTMENT TEAM:

> Provides assistance during the investment project planning phase

> Identifies applicable funding sources and tax programs

> Introduces investors to key partners and business professionals

> Locates, evaluates, and visits the best sites

> Provides support for the consolidation and expansion of business activities

> Provides specialized support for international entrepreneurs

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INITIATIVES IN 201310 prospecting and promotional missions in target regions

135 meetings with companies and new investors

26 activities to host investors and economic delegations in Quebec City

33 visits to subsidiaries of foreign corporations in the Quebec City region

RESULTS IN 20137 investment projects announced or underway

$115 million in investments announced during the year

550 jobs created or maintained

28 active files with a potential value of $280 million

“Quebec City’s vitality stems from the smart city concept, the quality of life it offers its

residents, the access to highly qualified workers and the collaboration between the academic

and scientific communities. It’s an environment conducive to innovation and research, and

that’s why we chose it.”

RICHARD GRENIER, ManagerThales Research and Technology Canada

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ATTRACTING SKILLED FOREIGN WORKERS

QUÉBEC INTERNATIONAL PROVIDES SERVICES TO ASSIST IN ATTRACTING SKILLED FOREIGN WORKERS. OUR TEAM CAN HELP COMPANIES MEET THE CHALLENGES RELATED TO HIRING AND INTEGRATING FOREIGN WORKERS. WE ALSO DEPLOY INITIATIVES TO PROMOTE THE QUEBEC CITY REGION WITH WORKERS ABROAD.

OUR EXPERTS PROVIDE COMPANIES AND WORKERS WITH:

> International recruitment missions to regions with strong potential

> A job posting platform and résumé management software

> Management assistance in hiring foreign workers

> Partnerships with public employment services and recruitment agencies

(head hunters)

> A human resources diagnostic service

> Professional development activities and programs for HR managers

> Educational activities on permanent residency

> Hosting and moderating of a Web portal and a discussion forum for foreign workers

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INITIATIVES IN 20134 recruitment and promotion missions to target regions

27 international mobility training and information activities

137 companies involved in missions and other initiatives

355 people reached through workshops on permanent residency

RESULTS IN 20135 international entrepreneurs set up shop in the Quebec City region

202 foreign workers recruited by Quebec City companies

500 new arrivals, including spouses and children (2,600 since 2008)

$30.1 million in economic benefits for the region

“Since 2008, Industrial Alliance has participated in international recruitment missions

that have enabled us to recruit IT workers who would otherwise be difficult to find in a

highly competitive market. The personalized initiatives and support services provided by

Québec International open up new international markets that can meet our recruiting needs.

International recruiting has become a crucial tool for an increasingly diverse range

of industries.”

SOPHIE SAVAGE, Talent Acquisition Advisor Industrial Alliance, Insurance and Financial Services Inc.

Université Laval

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SUPPORT FOR MARKET DEVELOPMENTAND EXPORTS

QUÉBEC INTERNATIONAL PROVIDES A MARKET DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT SERVICE TO HELP QUEBEC CITY COMPANIES TAKE ON THE WORLD. OUR TEAM BOASTS A VAST NETWORK OF CONTACTS AND A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES AND INITIATIVES TO BOOST THE COMPETITIVENESS OF QUEBEC CITY COMPANIES IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS.

OUR EXPERTS PROVIDE COMPANIES WITH:

> Personalized export assistance and consulting services

> Trade missions to target markets around the world

> Business networking and international buyer hosting activities

> Information on business opportunities

> Strategic information on international markets

> Professional development activities on international trade

> Preferential access to an extensive network of partners and experts

> Strategic intelligence to identify business opportunities

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INITIATIVES IN 201315 trade and exploratory missions to target regions

16 activities to host economic delegations and foreign buyers

54 professional and business development activities

1,490 participants in Québec International initiatives

RESULTS IN 201324 new exporters assisted during the year

$35.1 million in reported sales, both actual and potential

5 trade and industrial agreements negotiated by Quebec city companies

2 local companies that set up operations in foreign countries

“The SME Passport Program has enabled us to put more energy into our business development

efforts by supporting prospecting activities and helping us make contact with the right people.

The program provides effective and flexible ways to adapt market development efforts to the

business reality of our company.”

CHARLES LEDUC, Manager – Business Development Opsens

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SUPPORT FOR HI-TECH ENTREPRENEURSHIPAND INNOVATION

QUÉBEC INTERNATIONAL SUPPORTS THE DEVELOPMENT OF HI-TECH ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND FACILITATES INCREASED INNOVATION BY COMPANIES. OUR PROFESSIONALS PROVIDE PERSONALIZED SUPPORT AND INNOVATIVE INITIATIVES TO BOOST BUSINESS GROWTH AND COMPETITIVENESS AND STIMULATE THE REGION’S ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM.

OUR EXPERTS OFFER:

> Coaching, mentoring, and assistance to hi-tech companies

> Contacts with national and international investor networks

> Professional development programs and business competitions

> Support for the creation of industrial innovation consortiums

> Initiatives to support open innovation practices, R&D, and technology transfer

> International partnerships aimed at stimulating the entrepreneurial ecosystem

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INITIATIVES IN 20135 high-level assistance and training programs

32 activities and events supporting innovation and entrepreneurship

74 interventions through our entrepreneurship consulting service

1,450 participants in Québec International initiatives

RESULTS IN 2013$24.5 million in investments and research

13 innovation and business development projects

5 industrial innovation consortiums created

“In 2013, I participated in the Kauffman Foundation FastTrac TechVentureTM Program in or-

der to fast-track the development and validation of my business idea. Despite our conviction

that our solution was a good one, we needed a fast, effective method to validate a series

of hypotheses. Thanks to the program, we had access to training and coaching in lean

startup, marketing, and intellectual property rights. The approach used in the program

was a great help in overcoming our limits and achieving our goals.”

FRÉDÉRIC PARÉ, PresidentEmindsafe

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SUPPORT FOR THE CREATION OF INDUSTRIAL CLUSTERS

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QUÉBEC INTERNATIONAL SUPPORTS THE CREATION OF REGIONAL INDUSTRIAL CLUSTERS IN HEALTH FOODS, DIGITAL ARTS AND INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT, GREEN BUILDING, OPTICS-PHOTONICS, HEALTH SCIENCES, AND TOURISM. OUR EXPERTS POSSESS IN-DEPTH KNOWLEDGE OF THESE INDUSTRIES AND ARE HARD AT WORK IMPLEMENTING EXCITING INITIATIVES FOR EACH OF THEM.

OUR EXPERTS PROVIDE:

> Support for the creation of industrial innovation consortiums

> Activities and events meeting specific industry needs

> Trade missions and business development activities

> Capacity-building projects for developing clusters of excellence

> Contacts with research centres involved with innovation strategies

> Establishment of partnerships with international clusters of excellence

> Promotion of industrial success stories and expertise from the region

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INITIATIVES IN 201312 trade and exploratory missions in target regions

8 activities to host economic delegations and foreign buyers

35 assistance activities, events, and programs

1,680 participants in activities organized by Québec International

RESULTS IN 201310 partnerships with canadian and foreign clusters of excellence

$18.6 million1 in market development and export spin-offs

$5.4 million1 in innovation and entrepreneurial spin-offs

5 industrial innovation consortiums created

“Our participation in a Health Food Consortium led to a profitable partnership with Chocolat

Vigneault, a company in the Quebec City region. It was during this activity that we had the idea

to develop a protein-enriched chocolate bar for our Ideal Protein product line. With the help

of our R&D team and Chocolat Vigneault’s know-how, we were able to launch a new product on

the Canadian and American markets in only 6 months, and we’re planning a second product for

next year.”

FRANCIS CHÉNARD, VP, Business Development, R&D Pharmalab

1 These amounts were taken into account when calculating the economic benefits mentioned in the Support for Hi-tech Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Market Development and Export sections.

THANK YOU TO OUR MAIN PUBLIC PARTNERS

Canada Economic Development

City of Quebec

Emploi-Québec

Ministère des Finances et de l’Économie

Secrétariat à la Capitale-Nationale

The Caisse Desjardins de Québec has been a Québec International partner for four years now.

In that time, we’ve not only seen how professional this team is but, above all, how effective it

is. Québec International’s main strength is undoubtedly its ability to assemble a group of effective

and supportive partners and to assist businesses in the region. The leadership displayed by

the Québec International team enhances the region’s international profile and helps create a

dynamic business network with a view to fostering harmonious business development.”

ANDRÉ MARCEAU, General Manager

Caisse Desjardins de Québec

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THANK YOU TO OUR OTHER FINANCIAL PARTNERS

Bell

Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec

Cap’Idéal

Conférence régionale des élus de la Capitale-Nationale

Deloitte

Desjardins and the Caisse populaire Desjardins de Québec

EDC

Export Québec

Fonds de solidarité FTQ

Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada

Groupe Perspective

HSBC

Joli-Cœur Lacasse

Ministère de la Culture et des Communications

Ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés culturelles du Québec

Ministère des Relations internationales, de la Francophonie et du Commerce

extérieur du Québec

Momentum Technologies

ROBIC

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SUCCESS AT HOME AND ABROAD

1175, avenue Lavigerie, bureau 300Quebec City, QC, Canada, G1V 4P1

1-877-681-9700 or 1-418-681-9700 info@quebecinternational.ca

quebecinternational.ca

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