Québec Government Opens Office In Bogota, Columbia

The primarily of the office is to recruit labour and foreign students

The Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie and Minister responsible for the Laurentians region, Nadine Girault, today announced the opening of the Quebec Office in Bogota, Colombia. The establishment of this office thus becomes the 34th representation of Québec abroad and the 4th in Latin America and the Antilles, along with those of MexicoCity, São Paulo and Havana.

As soon as it opens, the Bureau du Québec à Bogota will focus its activities primarily on recruiting labour and foreign students. Recruitment prospects in sectors in demand in Quebec are very good. As a result, the Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration and its partners regularly organize promotion and recruitment activities there. In a context where competition for attracting talent is strong, a continuous physical presence in the territory will be a considerable asset. The economic component will gradually be added to the representation’s activities.

The decision to open this representation is based on a rigorous analysis, and falls within the framework of Québec’s Territorial Strategy for Latin America and the Antilles, launched last February. The opening of the Bureau du Québec in Bogota is also more broadly inspired by Québec’s International Vision and the Action Plan for Export Recovery.

With strong economic growth, a rapidly expanding export market and a high ease of doing business index, Colombia represents significant potential for Quebec in terms of market diversification. Moreover, the Québec trade missions carried out in Colombia since 2015 demonstrate great export opportunities in the security and defense, construction and infrastructure, and information technology sectors.

Finally, Colombia’s strategic geographic position limits travel time from Quebec while allowing access to neighbouring markets of interest such as Peru, Chile and Panama. In this context, the opening of a new representation of Quebec in Bogota is more than relevant in terms of economic prosperity.

“I am very proud to announce that Quebec’s 34th representation will be in Colombia.. This country is brimming with business opportunities for our Quebec companies, particularly in terms of recruiting labour and diversifying markets. With the presence of the Bureau du Québec in Bogota, Québec businesses and organizations will now be able to count on a new gateway and obtain the support necessary to develop fruitful partnerships in the heart of Latin America. »

Nadine Girault, Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie and Minister responsible for the Laurentians region

“I am proud to collaborate with the Ministère des Relations Internationales et de la Francophonie and to support this initiative, which will allow the Government of Quebec to strengthen its capacity to support Quebec companies in their efforts to recruit international talent. In concrete terms, with the opening of the Bureau du Québec in Bogota, we will promote various activities to promote Québec internationally and increase our recruitment activities for Québec employers. We will definitely strengthen the network of partners of the Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration abroad. »

Jean Boulet, Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity, Minister of Immigration, Francisation and Integration and Minister responsible for the Mauricie region

With the exception of 2020, Quebec exports to Colombia have been growing since 2016 (+8.9% per year on average between 2015 and 2019).

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast for Colombia’s GDP growth is 7.6% and 3.8% for 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Colombia is the 3 ^rd country in Latin America, after Mexico and Chile, to have become a member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The country ranks 2nd ⁱⁿ Latin America for the ease of doing business.

Quebec companies benefit from privileged access to this market due to a Canada-Colombia free trade agreement.

Colombia has 50.4 million people, with a median age of 31.
The Office of Québec in Bogota will be located within the Embassy of Canada in Colombia and will be temporarily directed by the Delegate General of Québec in Mexico, ^Ms. Stéphanie Allard-Gomez, until the appointment of a director. or a director.

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