Maritime Strategy Will Revitalize Quebec's Economy - DAVIE
Chantier Davie Canada Inc. (‘Davie’) commended the new Couillard government yesterday on its rapid launch of the Maritime Strategy, only a few months after its election. Davie’s chairman, Alex Vicefield, welcomed the nomination of a Minister for the Implementation of the Maritime Strategy, Mr. Jean D’Amour, as well as the concrete measures announced in Quebec’s 2014-2015 Budget on Wednesday, including the additional amortization deduction for shipbuilding and ship renovation.
Vicefield added that “the Maritime Strategy is a robust and comprehensive policy which spans the maritime value chain and encompasses all facets of the industry, from intermodal and bulk logistics to tourism, marine biotechnologies and, of course, shipbuilding and ship repair”.
“We know the global marine industry and we have seen similar strategies adopted in several European nations reap great rewards,” added Vicefield. “Quebec is one of North America’s most important maritime clusters – located on a major international shipping route and home to some of the world’s leading ship owners, ship designers, marine engineering firms as well as several highly innovative, added-value shipbuilders. This strategy is the right one – it’s about innovation, private investment, foresight and local companies working together to ensure we get the most from our coastal and inland seaways in a sustainable manner. It’s exciting times for Quebec’s maritime cluster.”