Soaring Aerospace Industry Will Give Quebec Steady Export Growth This Year and Next

MONTREAL, QC --(Marketwired - April 27, 2016) - Quebec's healthy mix of export sectors, which is the most diversified in Canada, will continue to benefit the province as export growth is forecast to increase by five per cent both this year and next.

This year the champion of that group will be the province's aircraft and parts sector, according to Export Development Canada's (EDC) semi-annual Global Export Forecast.

With Bombardier on track to deliver its new CSeries aircraft in the second quarter of 2016, growth in the aerospace sector is forecast to increase to 14 per cent this year, followed by eight per cent in 2017.

"Bombardier isn't alone in fueling the growth in the aerospace sector," said Peter Hall, Chief Economist, EDC. "Equipment and services is another strong sub-sector that will also support Quebec's upswing in exports this year. Montreal-based CAE, for example, has lined up large simulator contracts with the German Navy and US Air Force this year."

As is the case with most provinces, Quebec's export story is very much tied to the United States. The surging US economy, and the increasing demand that comes with it, will continue to be a key growth driver for Quebec businesses.

"The vast majority of Quebec's exports go to the US, so growth south of the border is clearly a good news story for the province," says Hall. "The price advantage from a lower Canadian dollar will continue to provide export-minded companies with competitive opportunities."

For resource-based sectors, the outlook is also relatively positive. Quebec's largest export sector -- metals, ores, and other industrial products -- accounts for roughly one-quarter of all its exports and is forecast to grow four per cent both this year and next. 

Quebec's forestry sector is also doing well, largely as a result of continuing growth in housing starts in the US. This sector is expected to see growth of four per cent this year and five per cent in 2017.

Peter Hall, EDC's Chief Economist, will provide further details about the latest Global Export Forecast when he meets with local businesspeople today at the World Trade Centre Montreal, his third stop on EDC's Let's Talk Exports Tour.

Over the next month, Hall will travel across Canada for EDC's Let's Talk Exports tour, which offers insights on the current global economy and explores how economic trends will impact Canadian exporters.

For the full report, visit EDC's Global Export Forecast: Spring 2016.

About EDC

EDC is Canada's trade finance agency, providing financing and insurance solutions locally and around the world to help Canadian companies of any size respond to international business opportunities. As a profitable Crown corporation that operates on commercial principles, EDC works together with private- and public-sector financial institutions to create greater capacity for Canadian companies to engage in trade and investment.

Some of its services include the Export Guarantee Program to help exporters access more financing, direct financing in support of contracts and direct investment abroad, Foreign Exchange Facility Guarantees to help exporters manage foreign exchange risk, and Political Risk Insurance that can cover up to 90 per cent of losses from political risks in foreign markets.

EDC's economics team includes some of Canada's leading trade experts, who share their knowledge freely with Canadian companies looking to grow their international sales and help them manage the associated market risks. Its semi-annual Global Economic Forecast addresses the latest global export conditions, including providing perspectives on leading economic trends and export strategies to help Canadian companies of all sizes maximize their export growth. The forecast also analyzes a range of risks for which exporters should be prepared.

For more information about how EDC can help your company, visit www.edc.ca.