Investissement Québec (IQ) announced today that it has completed the merger of the regional offices of the Ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation with those of IQ, as well as the integration of the Centre de recherche industrielle du Québec (CRIQ) and Export Québec teams into the corporation.
The pooling of these strengths has led to the creation of the new IQ. The IQ network, represented in every region, is now the main point of entry for companies, helping them to access the various support services and financial solutions available.
IQ strengthens its regional presence
The addition of MEI’s regional teams to IQ’s will enhance our service offering for entrepreneurs and business leaders looking for support services, adapted financing solutions or investments to sustain the development of their business, whether large or small, cooperative or social economy enterprise.
IQ’s existing regional teams are joined by 128 new specialists and advisors, bringing the total number of people dedicated to regional economic development to some 300. These teams will be based in 30 offices in 24 cities, for broader, more effective coverage of all Quebec’s administrative regions.
This reunion of regional offices is the result of the broader mandate entrusted to Investissement Québec by the Québec government. As a result, the organization has adopted a new, bolder brand image. Today, this image is brought to life in 17 regional variations, representing IQ’s 17 regional entities.
IQ strengthens its international role
The integration of Export Québec’s team with that of Investissement Québec International – a division of IQ – made official today, will support companies in export and foreign trade matters, in collaboration with the economic teams of Québec offices abroad. In all, Investissement Québec will be able to count on more than a hundred foreign trade experts to support companies.
Companies wishing to develop, expand or diversify their exports can knock on Investissement Québec’s door to take advantage of personalized support services, target customers and business opportunities, organize meetings with buyers and trade missions abroad, and explore available financial solutions.
This new offer of export support is in addition to the mandate to attract foreign investment in all regions of Québec already assumed by the state-owned corporation, thanks to a team of canvassers present in 12 offices abroad. Investissement Québec intends to work in collaboration with the various regional export support and foreign investment attraction organizations.
IQ enhances its technological support services
The Centre de recherche industrielle du Québec (CRIQ) was integrated into Investissement Québec on April1, and is now known as Investissement Québec – CRIQ. With IQ, companies now have access to industrial innovation and technological support services to boost their productivity, competitiveness and environmental performance, as well as to a range of simulations, tests and analyses unrivalled in Quebec. With its multidisciplinary team of experts, state-of-the-art laboratories and extensive network of partners, Investissement Québec – CRIQ has been a leader in industrial innovation in Quebec for 50 years.
Investissement Québec’s new business model is presented in greater detail in a complementary fact sheet available here.
“Our government has set itself the objectives of accelerating business investment, particularly in innovation, attracting more foreign investment, and increasing and diversifying exports. The economic context we’ve been facing for the past few months makes achieving these objectives even more important to revive the economy in all regions of Quebec. The new Investissement Québec will act as a powerful financial and economic lever, enabling Québec companies to adopt new technologies more quickly, to be more innovative, and to increase their efficiency and productivity, all of which will ensure their performance on national and international markets. By simplifying communication processes, the changes announced today will be significant and beneficial for companies and investors alike. Without a doubt, Quebec has just acquired a major economic network connected to the regions and the world.”
Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of the Economy and Innovation and Minister responsible for the Lanaudière region
