Quebec’s Maritime Strategy’s 2015-2020 action plan has a budget of $300 million, drawn from the Economic Development Fund under the auspices of the ESSOR program, to support the development of private investment in industrial zones in ports. An amount of $200 million is also set aside by the Ministry of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transportation Electrification to support port and intermodal infrastructure which is dedicated to the transportation of merchandise.
Quebec City, March 3, 2016. – The Minister responsible for Maritime Affairs, Mr. Jean d’Amour, accompanied by the Minister of Economic Development, Science and Innovation and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy, Ms. Dominique Anglade, and the Deputy Premier, Minister responsible for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Regulatory Streamlining and Regional Economic Development, and Minister responsible for the Status of Women, Ms. Lise Thériault, confirmed today that $300 million will be invested to develop industrial zones in ports. This is one of the key sectors of intervention of Quebec’s Maritime Strategy.
The government intends to support the development of industrial zones close to port services and rail and highway infrastructure. This proximity represents a significant comparative advantage for companies establishing operations in these zones, because they will gain easy access to inputs and this will accelerate the shipping of merchandise to North American and international markets.
– Jean D’Amour
Overall, the implementation of this type of zone is designed to improve the way in which existing port and industrial infrastructure is used. This will allow Quebec to attract investment and increase our exports, particularly by better integrating manufacturers with global supply chains.
– Dominique Anglade
The Government of Quebec is currently finalizing the signature of collaborative agreements designed to formalize local committees bringing together municipal administrations and port administrations, government departments, and the relevant regional stakeholders, in order to develop 16 industrial zones in ports.
These committees will have the mandate to delineate industrial zones and to prepare a development plan including, among other objectives, the definition of potential markets and determination of investment opportunities, in conformity with sustainable development principles. It is anticipated that all such agreements will be signed by June 2016.
The development of industrial zones in ports is a novel approach which is particularly designed for the manufacturing sector. This approach is based on coordination with regional stakeholders to determine how their territory will be developed. These industrial zones favour the use of stream and river transportation, allowing Quebec companies to diversify logistical and transportation services to make them more competitive and more sustainable.
– Lise Thériault
About the Maritime Strategy
Like the Plan Nord, the Maritime Strategy is a major economic project for Quebec. The goal of the Strategy is to ensure optimal and responsible use of maritime potential in Quebec. It includes various measures designed to showcase maritime transportation, tourism and marine resources. From now until 2030, the Maritime Strategy will attract multi-million dollar investments that will result in the creation of 30,000 jobs throughout Quebec. For the first five years, the action plan provides for the investment of $2.9 billion.
For more information about the Maritime Strategy, or to review the documentation, please visit the Maritime Strategy’s website at www.strategiemaritime.gouv.qc.ca.
For more information about industrial zones in ports, please visit the website of the Ministry of Economic Development, Science and Innovation at www.economie.gouv.qc.ca/zones.
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