Habfanman
August 7th, 2008, 06:39 PM
KPMG Competitive Alternatives Study - Greater Montréal ranks 1st among the 20 largest metropolitan areas in Canada and the United States for the most competitive operating costs in the R&D sectors
Montréal, March 31, 2008 – According to the KPMG Competitive Alternatives Study, Greater Montréal offers the most competitive operating costs in the R&D sectors among the 20 largest urban centres in Canada and the United States. Compared to the average for American cities, Greater Montréal’s performance translates into a 15% cost advantage in clinical trials, 8.6% in electronic systems development and testing and 5.1% in biotechnology. The data also indicate that Greater Montréal stands out in the software design sector, where it ranks first, with a 5.2% cost advantage.
“These positive results for the region are essentially explained by the presence of the R&D tax credits offered by the governments of Québec and Canada,” said André Gamache, President and Chief Executive Officer of Montréal International. “In the context of globalization of the knowledge economy, investment projects are highly mobile. Tax assistance, particularly in R&D, is a strategic tool that allows a region like Greater Montréal to increase its competitiveness and its ability to attract foreign investments,” he added.
For Montréal International, this study is a powerful promotional argument that facilitates the work of analysis and comparison for companies searching for a location site. “Even though the rise of the Canadian dollar against the US dollar had a major impact on all operating costs in Canada, Greater Montréal continues to offer an extremely competitive environment.”
All sectors combined, Greater Montréal ranks 4th out the 20 largest metropolises in Canada and the United States and in the very top rank of the agglomerations of the American northeast in terms of a company’s operating costs. The cost index developed by KPMG was established, in particular, on the basis of labour, taxation, transportation, energy, telecommunications and facility costs, and was calculated for 17 sectors of activity.
“While deriving a competitive advantage from our lower costs in the R&D and high-technology sectors, we must rely on our other advantages,” Mr. Gamache pointed out. “The Montréal region offers a highly skilled workforce, university institutions and research centres whose excellence is acknowledged on the international scene, recognized cultural dynamism and a remarkable quality of life.”
About Montréal International (www.montrealinternational.com) Montréal International was created in 1996 as a result of a private/public partnership. Its mission is to contribute to the economic development of Greater Montréal and to enhance its international status. Its mandates include attracting foreign investment, international organizations and strategic workers, and supporting the development of innovation and high-technology clusters in the metropolitan region. Montréal International is financed by the private sector, the Montréal Metropolitan Community, the City of Montréal and the governments of Canada and Québec.
Since 2000, Montréal International has been involved in 379 direct foreign investment projects totalling $5.6 billion. From these investments, 28,186 jobs have been created and 5,459 jobs have been maintained.
Montréal, March 31, 2008 – According to the KPMG Competitive Alternatives Study, Greater Montréal offers the most competitive operating costs in the R&D sectors among the 20 largest urban centres in Canada and the United States. Compared to the average for American cities, Greater Montréal’s performance translates into a 15% cost advantage in clinical trials, 8.6% in electronic systems development and testing and 5.1% in biotechnology. The data also indicate that Greater Montréal stands out in the software design sector, where it ranks first, with a 5.2% cost advantage.
“These positive results for the region are essentially explained by the presence of the R&D tax credits offered by the governments of Québec and Canada,” said André Gamache, President and Chief Executive Officer of Montréal International. “In the context of globalization of the knowledge economy, investment projects are highly mobile. Tax assistance, particularly in R&D, is a strategic tool that allows a region like Greater Montréal to increase its competitiveness and its ability to attract foreign investments,” he added.
For Montréal International, this study is a powerful promotional argument that facilitates the work of analysis and comparison for companies searching for a location site. “Even though the rise of the Canadian dollar against the US dollar had a major impact on all operating costs in Canada, Greater Montréal continues to offer an extremely competitive environment.”
All sectors combined, Greater Montréal ranks 4th out the 20 largest metropolises in Canada and the United States and in the very top rank of the agglomerations of the American northeast in terms of a company’s operating costs. The cost index developed by KPMG was established, in particular, on the basis of labour, taxation, transportation, energy, telecommunications and facility costs, and was calculated for 17 sectors of activity.
“While deriving a competitive advantage from our lower costs in the R&D and high-technology sectors, we must rely on our other advantages,” Mr. Gamache pointed out. “The Montréal region offers a highly skilled workforce, university institutions and research centres whose excellence is acknowledged on the international scene, recognized cultural dynamism and a remarkable quality of life.”
About Montréal International (www.montrealinternational.com) Montréal International was created in 1996 as a result of a private/public partnership. Its mission is to contribute to the economic development of Greater Montréal and to enhance its international status. Its mandates include attracting foreign investment, international organizations and strategic workers, and supporting the development of innovation and high-technology clusters in the metropolitan region. Montréal International is financed by the private sector, the Montréal Metropolitan Community, the City of Montréal and the governments of Canada and Québec.
Since 2000, Montréal International has been involved in 379 direct foreign investment projects totalling $5.6 billion. From these investments, 28,186 jobs have been created and 5,459 jobs have been maintained.