The Gleaner

Stéphane Billette on an 8 day mission to China

le lundi 05 février 2018
Modifié à 12 h 02 min le 05 février 2018
Par Steve Sauvé

ssauve@gravitemedia.com

Huntingdon MNA and Minister for Small and Medium Enterprises, Stéphane Billette, gave a positive report about his eight day commercial and cultural mission to China. Billette accompanied Quebec Premier, Philippe Couillard, on this mission during which agreements worth $262 M were signed between Quebec and Chinese businesses. "It's important to understand that the Chinese market is accessible to Quebec SMEs," Stéphane Billette emphasized. "We were an entourage of 190, which included 140 entrepreneurs. I had the opportunity to attend several meetings. China is not at all how we imagine it to be. It's a very highly developed country." The Chinese middle class represents an impressive population base for entrepreneurs who want to capture the market in the new Land of the Rising Sun. "The population is 1 billion, 400 million," remarked Billette. "Four hundred million are from the middle class. While we were there, a Saint-Édouard-de-Lotbinière business took advantage of the mission to go ahead and open a seventh office in China. So now, hardwood lumber from here is selling over there." Apart from the manufacturing sector, Billette explained that the mission, which took place mainly in Beijing, Hangzhou and Shanghai, was also intended to promote winter sports. "China has a goal to have 300 million people participating in winter sports. Last year, 17 arenas were built in Beijing alone. In Quebec, winter sports like skiing, skating, hockey and snowmobiling are well known to us." [caption id="attachment_43932" align="alignnone" width="521"] An exhibition of Quebec products in Shanghai gave people the opportunity to learn about local products.[/caption] It is impossible not to feel disoriented when visiting China. The Huntingdon MNA admitted that the customs and habits in China are quite different from Canada. "It's a country with a very rich history," he said. "The perception I had before going was quite different from what I observed. I was there for work. We were in meetings from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. But given the opportunity to return to China with my family, I would go to see the country for its history. The architecture is unbelievable. It's magnificent." Translated by Cathleen Johnston