Government of Canada Provides Funding to Strengthen International Positioning of Quebec City Region

QUÉBEC CITY, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Oct. 9, 2012) - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, today announced that the Office du tourisme de Québec (OTQ-Québec City Tourism) and Québec International (QI) have been granted financial support from the Government of Canada to increase the Québec region's international presence.

"Our government is focused on jobs and growth. That is why it supports organizations that, through their promotional efforts abroad, contribute to the success of our entrepreneurs and foster the economic development of Quebec and the country as a whole," said Minister Lebel.

The Office du tourisme de Québec will receive government funding to support, among others, its commercialization efforts outside Quebec through to March 31, 2014. The various activities to be carried out will be aimed at increasing the number of visitors to the Québec City region as well as tourism spending in the area.

For Gabriel Savard, General Manager of the Office du tourisme, "the Québec region's tourism product must be even further developed between now and 2020 so as to be much better positioned on the international stage." To achieve this goal, the destination is taking a four-pronged development approach: Québec, connected to the river; Québec, winter capital; historic, heritage and cultural city; and, lastly, city with ready access to nature and outdoor activities.

Québec International will receive government assistance to implement, by March 31, 2014, various SME guidance and foreign investment prospecting activities related to the commercialization and export of products and services. The organization will promote the creation of new businesses, an increase in the number of exporting SMEs as well as in exports in the greater Québec City area.

"We are pleased to have the support of the Government of Canada to provide entrepreneurs with the guidance they need to succeed both at home and abroad. Thanks to this financial assistance, we will be able to continue to put forward promising initiatives in support of our region's economic development," noted Carl Viel, President and CEO of Québec International.

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The financial assistance announced today totals $3 million in non-repayable funding, with the Office de Tourisme de Québec receiving $1.2 million and Québec International $1.8 million, respectively. This funding has been granted through Canada Economic Development's Quebec Economic Development Program.

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