In just a few days, Quebec will host the Rencontre des entrepreneurs francophones (REF), an international event of a rare scale. Thirty countries will take part. Gathered for three days, 800 delegates from all over will be driven by a single goal: to do business in French.
It will be a demonstration of all that Francophone communities, large or small, have to offer economically.
This is because the Francophonie has often come together in the diplomatic or political spheres. Many collaborations have been built around culture — with good reason — but very few are still on an economic basis. Indeed, entrepreneurs who speak the language of Molière have so to speak few opportunities to meet and create links, especially when we compare to all the English-speaking networks that exist. On the other hand, the creation of the Alliance des patronats francophones in 2022 promises renewed impetus.
A new paradigm is proposed by 28 Francophone employers’ organizations, including the Conseil du patronat du Québec: the Francophonie as an economic engine.
It’s a reaffirmation of what sets us apart. Our trademark is our language and it is conducive to new opportunities for our businesses.
During the REF, it can be expected that agreement signings will take place. That the exchanges do not stop there and that, sooner or later, they materialize into real partnerships.
French-speaking markets to conquer
In Quebec, bridges have been built with our cousins, the French, for a long time. This natural affinity comes from our history, but also from the expertise that we have managed to combine, energize and strengthen jointly. France is our fourth most important trading partner. Together, we have succeeded in imposing ourselves and competing particularly in the fields of aeronautics, transport, energy and advanced technologies.
Fact in support, Quebec ranks first among Canadian provinces in number of French companies established. For the latter, the North American market is then at hand. Conversely, for Quebec companies, settling in France then facilitates the breakthrough of European Union and African markets. This dynamic relationship should be reproduced on a large scale.
The fact remains that the economic context is catching up with us. Quebecers have this first instinct of turning to our closest neighbours, the United States, but there is a whole area to discover on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. Broadening our horizons would be beneficial.
It must be said that the African continent is booming. Investments are flowing. Infrastructure projects are on the rise. As for its population, it is young and only asks to be adequately trained for future challenges. Now is the time to take an interest in what will become, in just a few decades, the economy of tomorrow.
Let’s not let this chance slip through our fingers.