Montreal Business Opportunities

Several studies and numerous comparative data came to the same conclusion: Montreal business opportunities are excellent.

Montreal Business Opportunity Number 1:
Position of Excellence

1st in Canada as regards the number of diplomas awarded in graduate programs (Master’s or Ph.D.), Montréal has been widening the gap that separates it from other major metropolitan regions in this regard.

2nd in North America with regard to the number of university students per capita. The gap separating Montréal and Boston is shrinking.

1st in Canada in terms of funding for university research, with its leadership in this area growing vis-à-vis the other major metropolitan regions.

1st in Canada and in the Top 10 in North America with regard to the number of research centres. In spite of the striking increase in the value of the Canadian dollar.

1st in North America with the most competitive overall business operating costs, particularly in the R&D sector, where generous tax incentives have been offered for the past several years.

2nd in North America with regard to quality of life and cost of living.

Montreal Business Opportunity Number 2:
Significant Progress Has Been Made

5th best growth figures in high technology jobs for the latest period and in 8th position in North America with regards to jobs in the aerospace, life sciences and ICT sectors.

4th best growth with regards to total employment for the latest period, 16th in North America.

7th best growth with regards to the value of venture capital investments for the latest period, 12th in North America and 1st in Canada.

3rd best growth with regards to the number of scientific publications for the latest period, 13th in North America.

Montreal Business Opportunity Number 3:
Skilled Workforce Indicators

Employers in the Greater Montréal region can depend on a qualified labour force that is well-suited to the requirements of a knowledge economy, as is evidenced by a critical employment mass in the aerospace, information and communication technologies and life sciences sectors.

Montréal’s ability to meet specialized labour needs is due to the region’s impressive network of learning and labour training institutions.

Montréal thrives on the creative energy typical of university centers. With 11 educational institutions, among which are 4 universities (two French universities and two English universities), as well as numerous specialized private and public schools and colleges, the region has a highly stimulating intellectual environment.

Montreal Business Opportunity Number 4:
Innovation Indicators

Thanks to the excellence of its universities, research centres and the taxation policies established several years ago in support of R&D, the metropolitan region has become very attractive to knowledge-based companies.

The Greater Montréal rests on three high technology clusters (the aerospace, life sciences and information and communication technology), all of which are in an enviable position compared to other North American regions.

Creativity is at the heart of Montréal’s economic and social development. Thanks to its technological, cultural and artistic diversity, Montréal is acknowledged as a competitive region focused on learning.

It is also Canada’s innovation capital, noted for its tolerance, openness to new ideas and people and support for individual growth.

Thanks to the presence of the largest research complex in Canada, companies in the region have acquired a solid expertise while developing innovative products that are recognized around the globe.

Montreal Business Opportunity Number 5:
Cost Indicators

Comparative studies indicate that Greater Montréal’s corporate cost structure is among the lowest in North America and the G7 countries. This is particularly true in high technology sectors such as life sciences, aerospace and ICT.

In fact, employers in the Montréal region can rely on as talented labour force, as that available in the United States but at a lower cost, in spite of the Canadian dollar’s recent rise.

From the overall costs of running a business to the affordable price of housing and free health care, Montréal is quality at a bargain price, a knowledge-intensive location that is affordable in all aspects.

Montreal Business Opportunity Number 6:
Tax Indicators and Incentives

The corporate tax system in Québec offers measures that favor investments and promote growth. In fact, the generous financial incentives made available by the Government of Québec are among the most munificent in North America.

For a knowledge economy relying on competitiveness, investment in scientific research and development is critical. The longstanding tax incentives offered by the government of Québec and Canada make corporate R&D spendings profitable.

In fact, the combination of these measures often makes it possible for companies to reduce their R&D expenditures by as much as 75%! Because of this, the Montréal region enjoys an R&D investment climate that is not only the most favourable one in Canada, but in all North America, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Japan.

Montreal Business Opportunity Number 7:
Investment Climate Indicators

The Montréal metropolitan region is a choice spot for investors thanks to an excellent macroeconomic environment, quality infrastructures and institutions, a fair legal system, a pool of qualified labour and market opportunities under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Each year, private investments in the region total several billion dollars. These companies-investors, a good number of whom in the knowledge sectors and leaders in their particular fields, attest the quality of the region’s investment climate.

The solid and diversified foundation of Montréal’s economy, combined with the growing competitiveness of the region’s businesses, contribute to creating conditions favourable to short and long-term investment.

Montreal Business Opportunity Number 8:
Economic and Demographic Indicators

Greater Montréal’s economy has experienced remarkable growth over the past few years, mostly due to the emergence of the knowledge economy and more specifically, the information and communication technology, aerospace and life sciences sectors.

In fact, Statistics Canada ranks Montréal first among Canadian cities in terms of industrial diversification, a recognition of the region’s economic strength and innovative potential. Not surprisingly, the region’s real GDP grew in 2005 for a 14th consecutive year.

Its industrial diversity, international essence and ability to develop knowledge-critical elements all ensure that the region’s economy is very competitive. In addition, Montréal has experienced over the last few years one of the fastest employment growths among the main metropolitan agglomerations in North America.

Montreal Business Opportunity Number 9:
Labour Market Indicators

Labour market indicators provide a general overview of the demand for and availability of human capital in the region.

The metropolitan Montréal labour market has been growing steadily over the last decade, particularly in the high technology sectors. Recent trends indicate an overall increase in employment of the labour force, as well as an overall drop in unemployment.

The stability of Montréal’s labour force represents a major competitive advantage from a cost perspective, particularly in comparison to the United States, where labour is generally more mobile.

Montreal Business Opportunity Number 10:
Quality of Life Indicators

Montréal is crafted from a harmonious mix of European and North American influences. It is a cosmopolitan, multicultural, bilingual region with its own unique personality.

The city is renowned for its openness, “joie de vivre”, creativity and intellectual vigour. It is the reflect of a rich and varied cultural life, derived from what is becoming a tradition of sharing among the region’s cultural communities.

To say that Montréal is dynamic is somewhat of an understatement. The region is constantly on the go, winter or summer, day or night, offering an endless variety of artistic, commercial and cultural activities for residents and visitors.

The downtown area is always awash with light and life: some people live there or others visit the area to go to movies, the theatre, restaurants or festivals.

The heart of the Quartier international beats to the rhythm of numerous international conventions, symposiums and trade fairs hosted by Montréal each year. Montréal is also a very safe city, where residents can raise their families and live without fear.

Renowned for its top-notch humour, Montréal has secured an international reputation for its cuisine, which blends various cultures and styles, as well as for its major festivals, celebrating jazz, light, winter, films and even... laughter!

During festival season, thousands of people take to the streets and public places, where they gather to enjoy the peaceful festivities. Montréal also has a human element, and is an excellent place to live, work and play!

Montreal Business Opportunity Number 11:
Future Economic Vitality

According to the Conference Board of Canada, the expected recovery of the manufacturing sector, combined with steady growth in the services sector, should lead to a speedier increase in the metropolitan Montréal region’s real GDP, which is expected to reach 2.6% in 2006.

This increase should result in the net creation of nearly 30,000 jobs in 2006, representing a 1.6% growth in the employment rate. The region’s unemployment rate, in turn, should continue to decrease, dropping below 8.0% by 2009.

The non-residential construction sector continues to go well, even exceeding expectations. This rests mainly on construction of the CHUM (Centre Hospitalier of Université de Montréal) and the McGill University Health Centre, two major investment projects valued at over $1.5 billion each and which will strengthen Montréal’s life sciences cluster.

Globally, the ongoing vigour of non-residential construction will enable the overall construction sector to record growth of 2.1% in 2006.

Given their ongoing profitability, companies should continue to increase their investments in 2006. Those businesses that wish to modernize or improve their productivity will have an opportunity to increase their investment in equipment, materials and technology. Such a positive outlook makes it possible to presume strengthening of metropolitan Montréal’s attractiveness.

For more details on Montreal business opportunities, you may refer to the Attractiveness Indicators 2006, a new report that Montréal International will publish annually in order to better assess the attractiveness of Greater Montréal and promote the region’s advantages to prospective investors. These indicators provide answers to the usual questions investors ask as they decide where best to invest their resources.

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Montreal Business Opportunities.
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