Investissement Québec at the International Economic Forum of the Americas

As part of the International Economic Forum of the Americas, President and Chief Executive Officer of Investissement Québec, Jacques Daoust will be the lead speaker and moderator of a workshop on the relationship between parent companies and their subsidiaries, entitled “Sustainable Development: Innovation and Productivity”. The workshop, which will be held June 10 at 10:15 a.m., will also feature three senior officers from the head offices of large international companies who will discuss the key factors when deciding to invest in an expansion project.

The speakers are:

- Brian D. Ward, Senior Vice-President, International Studios, Activision, United States

- Joel P. Moskowitz, President and CEO, Ceradyne Inc., United States
- Frank Houston, Vice-President of Esterline Technologies Corporation, United States

Local heads of international subsidiaries established in Québec will attend the workshop. Typically, they are dealing with production costs that are higher than in certain emerging regions. On the other hand, they enjoy definite qualitative advantages, in particular top-notch infrastructures, a high-quality research and education network, and a skilled, reliable workforce. They must constantly make the case to their parent company regarding the particular merits of their subsidiary and the factors that represent significant value-added in an economy that is high on knowledge and innovation.

The situation of subsidiaries is crucial for Québec's economy and for Québec's continued development on the international economic scene. Investissement Québec has developed an extensive strategy to support the growth of international subsidiaries established here.

Where: Hilton Bonaventure Montréal, June 9 to 12, 2008.