COREX Opportunities: an innovative networking platform for businesses

A new initiative that aims to create connections and broaden exchange for businesses in the Northeastern United States and Quebec

MONTRÉAL, March 31, 2015 /PRNewswire/ - The Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ) launched COREX Opportunities, a new B2B networking platform that aims to create connections and broaden exchange for entrepreneurs and companies in the Northeastern United States and their industry counterparts in Quebec. COREX Opportunities is set to connect businesses in these two territories and facilitate trade between them.

Ms. Françoise Bertrand, President and CEO of the FCCQ, unveiled this program in the presence of Ms. Nina Maria Fite, United States Consul General in Montreal. Mr. Garry Douglas, President and CEO of the Plattsburgh / North Country Chamber of Commerce and representative for the Chambers of Commerce of the State of New York, and Mr. Jim Roche, President and CEO of the Business & Industry Association, New Hampshire's Statewide Chamber of Commerce, and Director of the New England Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, were also among the dignitaries attending the event.

COREX Opportunities aims to support and promote international trade between the Northeastern United States and Quebec, by opening both sides up to the FCCQ's extensive business and community network. It also promotes and encourages business partnerships between American and Quebec businesses that are looking for new suppliers and want to seize new opportunities. Moreover, this new B2B platform will allow companies on both sides of the border to better focus their efforts on growth and increasing sales volumes.

Quebec is an important trade partner to the Northeastern United States and is the second largest Canadian province. Besides its geographical proximity, Quebec is a natural gateway to markets in Ontario and the other provinces of Canada. The Northeastern U.S. and Quebec also have compatible business philosophies and practices.

COREX Opportunities addresses the challenges and needs of businesses on both sides of the Quebec-U.S. border. It is:

• An online meeting point that targets business opportunities and facilitates international trade
• A place to post and search for business opportunities for both goods and services
• A personalized platform for creating connections with the right business partners
• A dynamic tool that allows businesses and entrepreneurs to showcase their expertise and quickly seize available business opportunities

Concretely, COREX Opportunities will allow American business owners to find Quebec suppliers that could be offering them added value; it will help develop new markets (imports and/or exports), and it will connect new business partners to each other.

This new initiative is made possible through the financial support of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec.

"We are very proud and excited about the launch of COREX Opportunities; it will support Quebec and U.S. companies in both their domestic and international ambitions," said François Camirand, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the FCCQ.

"The B2B networking platform will enable companies on both sides of the border to connect more easily, to seize new opportunities, and to build stronger relationships. This is an important tool that will simplify the way we do business with our largest trading partner, the United States," said Ms. Françoise Bertrand.

"The level of business activity between Quebec and New York, as well as Quebec's other neighboring states, is immense already and growing every year," states Garry Douglas. "Most businesses, however, especially smaller ones, do not know how to explore the possibilities next door. COREX Opportunities now provides a simple, practical way to seek and find new business partners and customers across the border."

"As one of Quebec's key business partners, I am pleased to be here today to help launch COREX Opportunities; it will facilitate trade between Quebec and New England's businesses. We believe that our trade corridors can benefit from this targeted initiative, which will undoubtedly stimulate further trade activity," added Jim Roche.

Businesses interested in getting more information on COREX Opportunities can visit www.corexb2b.com or contact the FCCQ offices directly.

About the FCCQ

With its extensive network of more than 140 chambers of commerce and 1,100 corporate members, the FCCQ represents over 60,000 businesses and 150,000 business people involved in all sectors of the economy throughout Quebec.

As Quebec's premier business network, the FCCQ strongly supports its members' interests in matters of public policy, thus promoting an innovative and competitive business environment. The FCCQ's Board of Directors is representative of its diversity, both in terms of member companies as well as local chambers of commerce across Quebec.

SOURCE Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ)