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Press Room
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SGF proud of its taking part in the World Economic Forun in Davos
Pierre Shedleur, Chairman, President and General Manager of Société générale de financement du Québec (SGF), attends the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The 36th World Economic Forum held in Davos ended on January 28, 2007, after five days of discussions attended by 2,500 of the world’s most important political leaders, executives from multinationals and academics. SGF Chairman, President and General Manager Pierre Shedleur took part in Québec’s mission along with Raymond Bachand, Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade, Jacques Daoust, President and Chief Executive Officer of Investissement Québec, Henri-Paul Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, and Michael Turcotte, Chairman of Hydro-Québec.
Three major themes that were discussed at Davos are of particular interest to Mr. Shedleur as they will shape the economies of Québec and the world in the years to come:
Environment
The environment is a major concern for the business leaders attending Davos, especially the dichotomy between the countries that have signed the Kyoto Protocol and those that have not. In the United States, for example, efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions have begun, but Americans are concerned that the same standards have not been imposed on certain rapidly developing countries, such as China.
Productivity
Increasing productivity is the best, if not the only, way to further develop and diversify Québec’s economy over the next decade. This is a major issue for all industrialized countries, for reasons that include the increasingly worrisome demographic trends. Other regions of the world, such as the emerging economies of Latin America, regard productivity increases as the way to transform economies now based on inexpensive labour.
Technology
A theme related to the two preceding themes is investment in new technologies, which should sustain efforts to reduce industrial pollution and also improve business productivity.
In conclusion, according to Mr. Shedleur, “Québec’s companies also face these challenges in a rapidly changing global economy. They have to take advantage of opportunities as they arise, and SGF has the tools and competencies to assist them.”
Société générale de financement du Québec (sgfqc.com), an industrial and financial holding company, has a mission to carry out economic development projects, with emphasis on the industrial sector, in co-operation with partners and on standard profitability conditions, in accordance with the economic development policy of the Québec government.
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Source: Marie-Claude Lemieux
Senior Adviser
Communications and Media Relations
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