Mission Description

The International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Commercial Service in Montreal, Canada will host, October 28-29, 2003, Bonjour Quebec!, a multi-sector matchmaking event. This event is designed to provide U.S. small-to-medium sized, export-ready, companies (SMEs) in various sectors with an efficient, cost-effective, opportunity to enter Canadian market and establish profitable commercial relations with prospective agents, distributors, end-users and joint venture partners.

Bonjour Quebec! offers each participant an intensive two-day program encompassing individual business appointments with pre-screened prospective business partners and a full range of business facilitation services provided by the U.S. Commercial Service. These services include market research, business briefings, networking events and logistic support.

Bonjour Quebec! participants will receive:

• Pre-event briefings by industry experts and specific market research;
• An individualized schedule of business meetings with pre-qualified prospective
  business partners in Quebec;
• Facilities to conduct business meetings;
• Prime exposure with French Canada’s market from pre-event promotion;
• Networking opportunities with Quebec business, industry and government contacts;
• Logistical support; including hotel bookings at preferred rates
• Individual business counseling and referral services.

Commercial Setting

U.S. – Quebec trade has nearly tripled since the Free Trade Agreement (the predecessor of the North American Free Trade Agreement) was implemented in 1989. Today, U.S. – Quebec trade is valued at more than US$100 billion dollars annually and continues to grow.
As Canada’s second largest regional economy, Quebec has an impressive concentration of high-tech industries. It is noted for aerospace products, pharmaceuticals, information technology, telecommunications, hydroelectricity and metallurgy. In the past 20 years, the quantity of products manufactured in Quebec, based on the development of high-tech industries and competitive industrial sectors in international markets, has increased tremendously.

Mission Goals

To provide U.S. export-ready, small-to-medium sized, firms a cost-effective, low risk, and hassle-free means to establish and develop valuable long-term business contacts in French Canada.

To provide state, regional and local governments with a ready-made vehicle which they can use to introduce their rural and minority-owned SMEs to the Canada’s second most important regional market.

To provide all individual participants and multipliers with a successful export development experience in Quebec.

Mission Scenario

Bonjour Quebec! participants will be advised to arrive in Montreal on Monday, October 27, 2003. The mission program will begin in the evening with participants’ ice-breaker reception.

A breakfast briefing on Tuesday, October 28, 2003 will include welcoming remarks followed by individual presentations dealing with the commercial climate, French language regulations, business practices and custom issues on getting products quickly and effectively into Quebec.
Individual one-on-one business meetings with pre-qualified prospective business partners will commence immediately following the briefing and will continue throughout the day. Individual one-on-one meetings will also continue throughout the day on October 29. In addition to one-on-one meetings on site, videoconferences and off-site meetings will be conducted, as appropriate.

The Bonjour Quebec! one-on-one meetings will be staged at the hotel where each participant will be provided with a 6’ skirted table, chairs and signage suitable for scheduled appointments and the display of small samples and product literature. Bonjour Quebec! will include a Business Information Office (BIO) to provide participants with logistical support, information and other assistance they may require to realize their trade objectives in Canada.

Timetable

Recruitment for Bonjour Quebec! will begin with the release of this mission statement and publication of this announcement in the Federal Register.

Bonjour Quebec! will accommodate a total of 12 U.S. participants.

Recruitment Start: Immediately
Registration Ends: September 15, 2003
Participants Arrive: October 27, 2003
Ice-breaker Reception: October 27, 2003
Briefing: October 28, 2003
Individual appointment schedules start at 11:00 a.m.: October 28, 2003
End of Event: October 29, 2003

Recruitment and Criteria for Participation

Recruitment for Bonjour Quebec! will be launched with an e-mail notice to all U.S. Export Assistance Centers (USEAC). The e-mail notice will include detailed information on participation, and a request for support in publicizing Bonjour Quebec! in newsletters and in mailings to clients. Promotional flyers will also be sent to the State Trade offices; Small Business Associations; and relevant U.S. multipliers and trade associations. The Commercial Service in Montreal will also publicize Bonjour Quebec! on CS Canada’s website; through a feature article in Business America; via video conferencing; e-mail and direct mail to individual companies. The event will be published on the Commerce Department trade missions calendar - www.ita.doc.gov/doctm/tmcal.html - and other internet websites.

The criteria for participation are as follows:

• Bonjour Quebec! is open to all industrial sectors.
• Small-to-Medium sized companies which are either New to this Market or New to Exporting.
• Timely submission of completed application/registration materials and payment of the participation fee of US $ 1,000.
• Provision of adequate information on the company’s products and/or services and communication of the company’s primary objectives.
• Certification that the company's products and/or services are manufactured or produced in the United States or if manufactured/produced outside of the United States, the product/service must be marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have U.S. content representing at least 51 percent of the value of the finished good or service.

Recruitment will begin immediately and the deadline for applicants will be September 15, 2003. Any applications received after this date will be considered only if the target number of companies has not been reached and scheduling constraints permit.

Any partisan political activities of an applicant, including political contributions, will be entirely irrelevant to the selection process.

Contact Information

Pierre Richer, Project Manager
U.S. Commercial Service, Montreal
1155 St-Alexandre Street
Montreal, Quebec H3B 3Z1
Tel: 514/908-3661
Fax: 514/398-0711
E-mail: Pierre.richer@mail.doc.gov