In May 2012, I had the opportunity to go on an exploratory mission to Latin America, including Brazil (Sao Paulo), Chile (Santiago), Peru (Lima) and Colombia (Medellin), as part of my EMBA program at Concordia University. During this mission, I carried out a mandate for LAVAL TECHNOPOLE International Business Centre, in which I validated the market potential for Laval companies and identified intermediaries for our export activities. Here are my recommendations and my conclusion. (more…)
On October 5, as president of Commerce International Québec (formerly RECOMEX), I was invited to attend the meeting and discussion on the proposed comprehensive economic and trade agreement between Canada and the European Union.
The purpose of the meeting, attended by Quebec’s chief negotiator, Pierre Marc Johnson, was to let people get up to speed on the progress of the negotiations, ask questions and share their concerns. About fifty representatives from civil society attended: citizens’ organizations, unions, businesses, researchers, specialized journalists, elected representatives and members of the opposition. (more…)
According to an EDC poll of 811 exporters across Canada, the nation’s exporters are much more optimistic today than they were last fall regarding business opportunities, international and domestic sales, and the national and global economic outlook. In fall 2011, EDC’s Trade Confidence Index (TCI) had slumped to one of the lowest levels ever recorded (67). But by this spring, it had surged to 75.9, a level consistent with a normal economic outlook.
A sign of renewed confidence, 60% of the exporters polled are projecting stronger export sales in the next two quarters, while 56% are planning to expand into one or more new markets in the next two years. For EDC, this means that businesses are looking to diversify and capitalize on the U.S. recovery. (more…)
