During this event, Henri-Paul Rousseau (Quebec’s Delegate General in Paris) and Marie-Claude Bibeau (Mayor of Sherbrooke), accompanied by many other speakers from institutional and economic sectors, presented Quebec as a destination.
What were the event’s objectives? To foster the emergence of a strong economic, scientific, and entrepreneurial corridor between the two territories, promoting innovation, job creation, and international attractiveness.
In closing this afternoon of discussions, Michaël Delafosse (Mayor of Montpellier and President of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole) and Marie-Claude Bibeau (Mayor of Sherbrooke) signed a joint declaration of intent to establish a reciprocal economic partnership between Montpellier and Sherbrooke.
Joint declaration of intent to build a reciprocal economic partnership and establish Montpellier and Sherbrooke as two key gateways to their respective markets
Sister cities since 2013, Montpellier and Sherbrooke have built a relationship of trust over the years, based on academic, scientific, and economic exchanges, as well as mobility for young people.
With academic and scientific excellence, entrepreneurial vitality, and leadership in life sciences, digital technology, artificial intelligence, clean technologies, and the cultural and creative industries, the cities of Montpellier and Sherbrooke share many complementary strengths.
Using these strengths as a foundation, the City of Montpellier, Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole, and the City of Sherbrooke have signed a declaration of intent to establish a structured framework for economic reciprocity based on developing a preferential and reciprocal “welcome package” for Montpellier-based companies wishing to set up operations in Sherbrooke and for Sherbrooke-based companies seeking to establish themselves within the Montpellier metropolitan area.
This joint declaration of intent proposes:
- Developing reciprocal, preferential welcome packages to facilitate the temporary hosting of businesses, access to workspace and innovation hubs, identification of suitable locations, and integration into local ecosystems.
- Providing strategic support for businesses through detailed analysis of market opportunities, access to networks of partners and experts, assistance setting up operations, and guidance on existing financing opportunities.
- Fostering collaborative projects by supporting the development of technological and commercial partnerships.
- Ensuring mutual economic promotion by leveraging investment opportunities in both regions, participating in economic missions and promotional events, and mobilizing business networks in both territories.
- Pursuing territorial integration to support the long-term sustainability of established businesses.
- Identifying priority sectors with strong potential for cooperation: life sciences and healthcare, digital technology, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, clean technologies and the green transition, renewable energy, cultural and creative industries, and advanced industrial and manufacturing technologies.
To ensure the effective deployment of this collaborative effort: operational liaisons will be appointed for both areas; the respective ecosystems (incubators, clusters, universities, and economic networks) will be involved; pilot companies likely to benefit from the initiative will be identified; opportunities for business establishment will be promoted; economic missions will be organized; and feedback on experience and best practices will be shared.
From left to right: Henri-Paul Rousseau (Quebec’s Delegate General in Paris); Marie-Claude Bibeau (Mayor of Sherbrooke); and Michaël Delafosse (Mayor of Montpellier and President of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole)
