PHILADELPHIA, PA, USA - Québec Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie Christine St-Pierre and PA Secretary of Community & Economic Development Dennis Davin promote bilateral trade as part of the first Québec Day in Philadelphia
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The World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP) and the Québec Government Office in New York recently hosted a Québec Day luncheon at the Union League of Philadelphia featuring Québec Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie Christine St-Pierre and Pennsylvania Secretary of Community and Economic Development Dennis Davin. Accompanied by a Québec trade delegation with representatives from the construction and green building sectors, Minister St-Pierre was joined by Secretary Davin to discuss opportunities to further expand the already strong trade ties between Pennsylvania and Québec and the economic benefits to both regions that would result.

​“We are delighted to partner with the Québec Government and the City of Philadelphia to celebrate and grow trade between Québec and the Greater Philadelphia Region,” said Linda Conlin, President of the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia. “This luncheon will give companies of all sizes a sense of how trade with Québec, across diverse growth sectors, could provide new revenue streams for their businesses. This event is a great example of how WTCGP provides businesses with educational and networking forums to accelerate their global business growth.”

​“Bilateral trade between Pennsylvania and Québec stands at $3.7 billion but there are more opportunities for increased cross-border trade in key sectors such as life sciences, construction and green building, transportation and aerospace,” said Delegate General Jean-Claude Lauzon. “Often the largest barrier to trade is the lack of awareness of the available opportunities. My hope is that Québec Day in Philadelphia will help remedy that and deepen mutually beneficial ties.”
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The June 21 luncheon was one of three events celebrating the occasion of the first “Québec Day in Philadelphia.” Co-organized by the City of Philadelphia, the Québec Government and WTCGP, the roster of events aims to strengthen economic and political ties between the two regions. Other Québec Day events on June 21 included an immigration roundtable discussion and a special gathering at the Henry C. Lea Elementary School, highlighting the school’s French language program and partnership with the Québec Government. Québec Day in Philadelphia concluded with a flag raising ceremony and evening reception at Philadelphia City Hall.

Québec-Pennsylvania Trade
With bilateral trade between Pennsylvania and Québec at $3.7 billion in 2015, Pennsylvania is Québec’s 4th largest trading partner in the United States. Top Québec exports to Pennsylvania include aluminum, chocolate and chemical wood pulp, and Pennsylvania exports mostly cocoa paste, oil and paperboard products to the province. Québec companies with a strong presence in Pennsylvania include Bombardier, SNC Lavalin, Saputo, Aldo, Group CGI, Leclerc, Alimentations Couche-Tard (Circle K), Cascades and Domtar, while Alcoa, Ametek and Hershey are some Pennsylvania corporations with significant operations in Québec.

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