Mission to Sub-Saharan Africa – Minister Martine Biron solidifies relations with Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire

QUEBEC, Jan 27, 2023 /CNW Telbec/ – The Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie and Minister responsible for the Status of Women, Martine Bironhas just returned from a mission that strengthened Québec’s political, cultural and economic relations with Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, priority countries for its action in sub-Saharan Africa.

This mission led to the signing of three agreements in priority cooperation sectors for Quebec.

The Minister’s mission was also an opportunity to forge ties between Quebec, Senegalese and Ivorian entrepreneurs and organizations during various meetings and activities in which representatives of Investissement Québec international (IQI), the Room of commerce of metropolitan Montreal and the Caisse de depot et placement du Québec.

The Minister took advantage of her visit to these two countries to meet the ambassadors of the Canada to discuss the prospects for collaboration to support Quebec companies as well as issues related to the issuance of Canadian visas for African students and partners.

Senegal section (January 22 to 25)

The Minister was able to meet with the President of the Republic of Senegal, Macky Sall. This second meeting in three months with the President demonstrates that Quebec and Senegal have more than ever solid ties marked by great collaboration. The Minister then traveled to Gorée Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dedicated to the memory of slavery in Africa, where she signed the Book of Honour.

The minister Martine Biron also met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad, Aïssata Tall Sall, with whom she concluded an agreement on multisectoral cooperation. Then, she took advantage of her visit to position the Quebec educational offer and job prospects in Quebec with the Minister of Youth, Entrepreneurship and Employment of the Republic of Senegal, Pape Malick Ndour. She then went to the Dakar Jet Center with the economic delegation to discuss Quebec expertise in aeronautics and aerospace.

The Minister also visited the Thiès region where she took part in a public activity with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Quebec organizations for international cooperation (OCI) involved in the Security project. food: adapted agriculture (SAGA).

Côte d’Ivoire section (January 26 and 27)

The minister Martine Biron was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and the Diaspora of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, Kandia Camara. She provided an update on the strengthening of bilateral Québec-Côte d’Ivoire ties and on ongoing cooperation projects. This was an opportunity for her to promote Quebec expertise to the Ivorian government.

The Minister also met with the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, Adama Diawara, with whom she notably signed an agreement on university student mobility. Then, she met the Minister for the Promotion of Youth, Professional Integration and Civic Service and Deputy Spokesperson for the Government of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, Mamadou Touré, to conclude this time a declaration intention regarding international mobility.

In addition, a meeting was held with Quebec international cooperation organizations active in Côte d’Ivoire. Their action on Ivorian territory represents an important part of Québec’s international action and contributes favorably to its influence. A meeting then took place with the Minister of Technical Education, Vocational Training and Learning of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, Koffi N’Guessan. The discussions focused on the current reform of technical education in Côte d’Ivoire and on the Quebec model. The mission ended with a visit to the Autonomous Port ofAbidjan. This made it possible to establish strategic contact with management and to learn more about the facilities, activities and development projects of this important economic infrastructure.

Quote :

“The success of this first mission in sub-Saharan Africa demonstrates the importance of continuing to deepen our political and economic relations there, but also in terms of the Francophonie, education and higher education, culture and international solidarity. Québec’s action and the maintenance of its privileged relations with countries such as Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire are essential for our businesses and organizations, which create fruitful partnerships there. Africa brings together many students and workers wishing to settle in Quebec. I would like to underline the sustained work of our representations, which contribute to the prosperity and notoriety of Québec. »

Martine BironMinister of International Relations and La Francophonie and Minister responsible for the Status of Women

Highlights:

• In particular, the Minister took part in the launch of the Senegal-Quebec-Canadaan initiative aimed at boosting economic exchanges by promoting the sharing of strategic information, experience and expertise, in addition to creating privileged business ties between Senegalese companies and their counterparts in Quebec and Canada .
• The GDP of Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire rose to 5% and 6% respectively in 2022 and the forecasts for 2023 are 9.2% and 6.7%, which demonstrates the economic growth of these two countries and their great potential.
• With an envelope of $6.6 million from the Government of Quebec, the second phase of the SAGA project aims to equip Ivorian, Senegalese and Haitian communities so that they can better adapt and cope with climate change and the food insecurity.

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SOURCE Office of the Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie and Minister responsible for the Status of Women

For further information: Sources: Catherine Boucher, Press Attaché, Office of the Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie and Minister responsible for the Status of Women, Cell. : 418 802-6833; Information: Media Relations, Communications and Public Affairs Department, Ministry of International Relations and La Francophonie, Québec.ca, Québec.ca/international, [email protected]