Quebec International, the premier economic development agency in the Quebec City metropolitan region, and ANIM, Manitoba's bilingual national and international trade agency, have co-organized a Quebec-Manitoba life sciences trade mission. The event, which is being held in Quebec City today and tomorrow (March 28-29), is designed to facilitate networking between seven Manitoba-based companies in attendance and 15 companies and research centres from the Quebec City region. The program of activities includes pre-arranged business meetings as well as visits to businesses and research centres.
This initiative is being carried out thanks to financial support from the Government of Quebec's Canadian Intergovernmental Affairs Secretariat (SAIC) under the auspices of Canadian francophone financial support programs and thanks to financial support from the Government of Manitoba.
"Canada offers real growth and development opportunities for local companies," said Carl Viel, President and CEO of Quebec International. "According to the survey conducted on behalf of Quebec International earlier this year, regional entrepreneurs are seeking to boost their presence across the Canadian market. Since Manitoba and the Quebec City region rank among Canada's life science leaders, an initiative such as this has real development potential. I would also like to thank ANIM and the SAIC for making this event possible."
"The life sciences industry is booming in the Quebec City region thanks to innovative local companies. We are privileged to work with Quebec International, which has organized an outstanding program for our delegates. The track record of collaboration between ANIM and Quebec International includes a number of successful bilateral initiatives. In line with the format adopted by Centrallia, companies can quickly size up the potential of a business meeting since each meeting is tailored to their objectives," added Mariette Mulaire, President and CEO of ANIM.
Although Manitoba is home to only 4% of Canada's population, it accounts for 8% of national biotech activity, with 41 sector companies employing 2,300 people. In addition, the provincial industry has 30 research and development centres, employing 1,900 people, and generates $440 million in annual revenues and $120 million in expenditures. The sector is supported by 23 service companies.
The Quebec City region, for its part, is home to 139 life sciences companies, including 23 in the biopharmaceutical sector, employing a total of 2,160 people. Quebec City also has 80 life science research centres, chairs, groups and institutes, employing a total of 3,900 people. The regional life sciences sector generates $1.2 billion in annual revenues, with the biopharmaceutical sector accounting for $290 million of that figure.
"In a sector as competitive as the life sciences, forging strategic partnerships can make a real difference in the international markets. Companies based in Manitoba and Quebec City thus have every interest in developing their business relationships in the hopes of achieving success. This also applies to other sectors in which Manitoba and the Quebec City region possess expertise. Quebec International and ANIM thus plan to keep on working together to establish a business corridor between the Quebec City region and Manitoba that will prove profitable for businesses and research centres," said Mr. Viel and Ms. Mulaire.
