SEDA to sign agreement on behalf of Savannah with Longueuil, Quebec, CA
PRESS RELEASE: SEDA
During the inaugural meeting for the Southeastern United States (SEUS)-Canadian Provinces Alliance in Savannah June 14-17, the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA) and Longueuil Economic Development (DEL) will sign a memorandum of cooperation on behalf of Metro Longueuil, Quebec, Canada and Metro Savannah, Georgia, US.
It is the intent of this Agreement that SEDA and DEL will pro-actively bring together respective companies, business executives and entrepreneurs in an effort to identify business opportunities, create business partnerships, do business together and prosper.
“This historic agreement between the Savannah Economic Development Authority and their counterparts in Quebec, Longueuil Economic Development, will strengthen the business relationship between these two regions,” said Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue. “It is my hope that more communities will follow suit and form similar mutually beneficial alliances.”
The Province of Quebec and the State of Georgia have developed increasingly growing cooperation over the past years. Dynamic regions within these states rightfully seek to develop and forge closer business and economic bonds as well.
The Longueuil Region is the 2nd strongest economic region in Quebec after Montreal itself. The community of 386,000 people is positioned on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River and is considered to be a part of metro Montreal. Major employers include Pratt & Whitney (aerospace), Bombardier Transport (rail cars and equipment), Heroux-Devtek (aerospace), Spectra Premium (automotives), Uniselect (auto parts distribution) and Transcontinental (printing). Longueuil also enjoys historic importance as its founding dates back to 1657.
Overall, Georgia’s 2007 exports to Canada totaled more than $4.4 billion and imports totaled more than $354 million worth of Canadian goods through the Savannah Customs District. Nearly 100 Canadian companies have locations in Georgia and Georgia companies have an equally strong presence in Canada. Georgia has operated a trade office in Canada since 1981, and Canada has had a consulate in Atlanta since 1973. Georgia is also host to the Quebec Trade & Investment Office and the Canadian-American Society of the Southeast U.S., a bi-national business association.
“The globalization of the economy is well underway, and Savannah needs to demonstrate that we can work with anyone, anywhere. We need to attract companies here, whether or not those companies ever intend to have a physical presence here,” remarked SEDA Board Chairman Brian Foster. “This agreement respresents an exciting opportunity for Savannah to expand our international reach.”
Within the Agreement, a range of actions has been identified in order to generate closer ties, greater business exchanges and more success between Longueuil and Savannah. This includes the exchange of strategic information, promotion of business participation, facilitation of business partnerships, and annual meetings to discuss results and determine future initiatives.
“This agreement between DEL and SEDA is a significant additional asset for the economic development of our territories, because the agreement illustrates our common desire to facilitate the growth of our businesses,” said Jacques Spencer, President and CEO of Développement économique Longueuil. “Georgia offers excellent business opportunities for Quebec companies, and especially for companies based in Longueuil. That is why this partnership is very beneficial to us.”
- SEDA -
The mission of the Southeastern United States (SEUS)-Canadian Provinces Alliance is to promote trade, investment, tourism, educational and friendship ties between Canadian provinces and Southeastern states. Modeled after the successful SEUS-Japan association, which attracts more than 500 representatives to its annual meeting, the SEUS-Canadian Provinces Alliance has the potential to be even more successful, given the shorter travel distance for delegates and larger scope of business conducted between the two regions.
It is the intent of this Agreement that SEDA and DEL will pro-actively bring together respective companies, business executives and entrepreneurs in an effort to identify business opportunities, create business partnerships, do business together and prosper.
“This historic agreement between the Savannah Economic Development Authority and their counterparts in Quebec, Longueuil Economic Development, will strengthen the business relationship between these two regions,” said Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue. “It is my hope that more communities will follow suit and form similar mutually beneficial alliances.”
The Province of Quebec and the State of Georgia have developed increasingly growing cooperation over the past years. Dynamic regions within these states rightfully seek to develop and forge closer business and economic bonds as well.
The Longueuil Region is the 2nd strongest economic region in Quebec after Montreal itself. The community of 386,000 people is positioned on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River and is considered to be a part of metro Montreal. Major employers include Pratt & Whitney (aerospace), Bombardier Transport (rail cars and equipment), Heroux-Devtek (aerospace), Spectra Premium (automotives), Uniselect (auto parts distribution) and Transcontinental (printing). Longueuil also enjoys historic importance as its founding dates back to 1657.
Overall, Georgia’s 2007 exports to Canada totaled more than $4.4 billion and imports totaled more than $354 million worth of Canadian goods through the Savannah Customs District. Nearly 100 Canadian companies have locations in Georgia and Georgia companies have an equally strong presence in Canada. Georgia has operated a trade office in Canada since 1981, and Canada has had a consulate in Atlanta since 1973. Georgia is also host to the Quebec Trade & Investment Office and the Canadian-American Society of the Southeast U.S., a bi-national business association.
“The globalization of the economy is well underway, and Savannah needs to demonstrate that we can work with anyone, anywhere. We need to attract companies here, whether or not those companies ever intend to have a physical presence here,” remarked SEDA Board Chairman Brian Foster. “This agreement respresents an exciting opportunity for Savannah to expand our international reach.”
Within the Agreement, a range of actions has been identified in order to generate closer ties, greater business exchanges and more success between Longueuil and Savannah. This includes the exchange of strategic information, promotion of business participation, facilitation of business partnerships, and annual meetings to discuss results and determine future initiatives.
“This agreement between DEL and SEDA is a significant additional asset for the economic development of our territories, because the agreement illustrates our common desire to facilitate the growth of our businesses,” said Jacques Spencer, President and CEO of Développement économique Longueuil. “Georgia offers excellent business opportunities for Quebec companies, and especially for companies based in Longueuil. That is why this partnership is very beneficial to us.”
- SEDA -
The mission of the Southeastern United States (SEUS)-Canadian Provinces Alliance is to promote trade, investment, tourism, educational and friendship ties between Canadian provinces and Southeastern states. Modeled after the successful SEUS-Japan association, which attracts more than 500 representatives to its annual meeting, the SEUS-Canadian Provinces Alliance has the potential to be even more successful, given the shorter travel distance for delegates and larger scope of business conducted between the two regions.
published on 07.10.2008 at 01:29 pm
