Press Releases

Investissement Québec Better Equipped Than Ever to Help Businesses Recover From the Crisis and Get Back to Growth

Resumption of economic activity in Québec

The merger of CRIQ, Export Québec and the MEI’s regional offices with IQ is now complete.

Montréal, June 18, 2020 – Investissement Québec (IQ) is proud to announce today that it has completed the consolidation of the regional offices of the Ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation (MEI) with those of IQ as well as the integration of Centre de recherche industrielle du Québec (CRIQ) and Export Québec teams within IQ.

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The pooling of these resources completes the creation of the new IQ. With a presence in every region, the IQ network will henceforth be the main gateway for businesses and simplify their efforts to access the many support services and financial solutions at their disposal.

IQ ramps up its presence in the regions

IQ’s existing regional teams will be rounded out by 128 new specialists and advisors, for an approximate total of 300 people dedicated to regional economic development. These teams will be based at 30 offices across 24 cities, providing broader and more effective coverage of all Québec regions.le.

This consolidation of regional offices reflects the expanded mandate given to Investissement Québec by the Québec government. In response, the organization has adopted new, bolder branding. That branding comes to fruition today at the regional level through IQ’s 17 regional bodies.

IQ expands its international role

Made official today, the integration of the Export Québec team with that of Investissement Québec International, a division of IQ, will provide greater support for businesses’ export and external trade activities in cooperation with the economic teams working out of Québec’s offices abroad. All in all, Investissement Québec will be able to call on more than 100 external trade experts to help support businesses.

Businesses wishing to develop, increase or diversify their exports can knock on Investissement Québec’s door to explore the financial solutions at their disposal and take advantage of services that range from personalized coaching and identifying prospective clients and business opportunities to organizing meetings with purchasers and conducting foreign trade missions.

These new export assistance services complement IQ’s existing mandate of attracting foreign investment to every region of Québec, a task carried out by business development officers working out of 12 foreign offices. The government corporation intends to work in close cooperation with regional organizations responsible for facilitating exports and attracting foreign investment

IQ enhances its technology support services

Investissement Québec merged with CRIQ (Centre de recherche industrielle du Québec)on April 1 and now goes by the name of Investissement Québec – CRIQ. The merger means that IQ is able to provide businesses with industrial innovation and technology support services to enhance their productivity, competitiveness and environmental performance, along with simulation, testing and analysis services that are unequalled in Québec. With its multidisciplinary team, state-of-the-art laboratories and extensive network of partners, Investissement Québec – CRIQ has been a leader in industrial innovation in Québec for 50 years.

Investissement Québec’s new business model is described in greater detail in a supplementary information sheet.

“Our government is committed to ramping up business investment, particularly in innovation, attracting new foreign investment and expanding and diversifying our exports. Because of the circumstances we have faced in recent months, those objectives have become vital to resuming economic activity in Québec’s regions. The new Investissement Québec will provide powerful financial and economic leverage, enabling Québec businesses to acquire new technologies faster, be more innovative and boost their effectiveness and productivity, thereby improving their performance in national and international markets. The changes announced today are significant and will benefit businesses and investors. Clearly, Québec has put in place an extensive economic network connected to both the regions and the world.”

Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of Economy and Innovation

“The new Investissement Québec will better align the government’s actions with the real needs of each region to help them become more prosperous and autonomous. The revamped approach will be straightforward and proactive. Investissement Québec’s teams will adapt their services to the needs of entrepreneurs to accelerate growth, innovation, local and foreign investment, exports and the creation of high-value-added jobs. The government corporation’s new structure will also simplify access to the many solutions and programs offered by the Ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation and Investissement Québec. Whether they’re well established or in the start-up phase, businesses will find a combination of support and financing services geared to their strengths, needs and specific circumstances.”

Marie-Eve Proulx, Minister for Regional Economic Development and Minister Responsible for the Chaudière-Appalaches, Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine regions

“Armed with all these new skills and areas of expertise, the new Investissement Québec is stronger and better positioned than ever to ensure the ongoing economic development of our regions. With the economy gradually recovering from an unprecedented crisis, we are now better able to offer Québec entrepreneurs and business leaders easy access to the widest range of business solutions and strategic expertise in Québec. In cooperation with local economic development stakeholders and financial partners, we intend to address the shortcomings in the capital chain to encourage the growth of businesses and fulfil our role: to enhance investment and productivity and become a true agent of change.”

Guy LeBlanc, President and CEO of Investissement Québec

About Investissement Québec

Investissement Québec’s mission is to play an active role in Québec’s economic development by spurring business innovation, entrepreneurship and business acquisitions, as well as growth in investment and exports. Operating in all the province’s administrative regions, the Corporation supports the creation and growth of businesses of all sizes with investments and customized financial solutions. It also assists businesses by providing consulting services and other support measures, including technological assistance available from Investissement Québec – CRIQ. In addition, through Investissement Québec International, the Corporation also prospects for talent and foreign investment and assists businesses with export activities.

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