According to the 2013-2014 American Cities of the Future rankings compiled by UK-based fDi Magazine, which is published by the Financial Times Group, Quebec City placed in the Top 10 in three categories (Mid-Sized American Cities of the Future, Business Friendliness and Best fDi Strategy). A total of 422 cities in the Americas were evaluated by fDi Intelligence, a division of the Financial Times, and divided into five groups based on population size. Quebec City is in the mid-sized cities group, which includes urban areas with populations of more than 200,000 inhabitants and metropolitan regions with more than 750,000 inhabitants.
Quebec City ranks #4 in mid-sized cities of the future – overall
Cities in this category are evaluated based on criteria such as GDP growth, unemployment rates, business start-up/operating costs, value of investment projects, quality of educational institutions, availability of efficient transportation infrastructure and the presence of a strong knowledge-based economy. Promotional strategies and quality of life are also taken into account. Quebec City’s fourth-place finish in this category demonstrates that it offers entrepreneurs and investors a first-rate business environment.
Quebec City ranks #4 for business friendliness
For the very first time, Quebec City made it into the Top 10 in this category this year. Business-friendly cities are those in which it is relatively easy to start up and operate a company. Related criteria include the presence of strong knowledge-based industries, the number of foreign investment projects and their economic benefits, tax policy and the number of days required to start up a business. Quebec City’s fourth-place finish in this category demonstrates that regional efforts to create a dynamic and welcoming entrepreneurial ecosystem are paying off.
Quebec City ranks #2 for best fDi strategy
This category recognizes strategies aimed at promoting and attracting foreign investment. Initiatives designed to provide investors with information on a city’s competitive advantages and information quality/quantity are considered, along with incentives for investors, the presence of major development infrastructure/projects and the overall vision for fully optimizing a city’s potential attractiveness.
“By doing so well in these categories, Quebec City is sure to draw the attention of foreign investors seeking to capitalize on a business environment that facilitates the successful completion of their projects. Our region has much to offer, including a solid and dynamic economy, a diverse industrial base, state-of-the-art infrastructure and research facilities, low operating costs, a pool of highly skilled workers and unbeatable quality of life,” said Carl Viel, President and CEO of Quebec International.
