Ranked the best city for doing business in North America (KPMG, 2006), the second largest economic hub of the province, and the seventh largest market in Canada, Québec City benefits from a booming economy and a highly skilled workforce.
Economic Structure
In Québec City’s economy, the service sector is predominant. As the provincial capital, the city enjoys great economic stability, since Québec government ministries and corporations are located here.
Thanks to the creativity and productivity of its industrial sector and its scientific community, Québec City has made high technology central to its economic development. The city boasts the highest concentration of research and technology transfer centers in the province, and its high tech park is recognized for its researchers’ expertise in advanced sectors.
Strong Sectors
| Applied technologies |
Optics, photonics, electronics, software, computer services, geomatics, video games, defense, and security |
| Life sciences, health, and nutrition
|
Biotechnologies, biomedicine, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, functional foods, agri-food processing |
| Processed materials |
Plastics, composite materials, secondary wood processing |
Overview
Are you thinking of joining the Québec City business community? The following figures provide an overview:
- A large regional market 683,000 people strong
- More than 18,000 businesses (stores and industries)
- 6,000 researchers
- 400 laboratories and world-class research centers
- 2,600 stores in 87 different shopping centers
- 123 commercial arteries
- 24 industrial zones and parks
- 384 exporting businesses
- A very strong economic development index: 103.7% (Montréal: 103.1%)
Additional Information
For more information on Québec City’s economic situation, or to learn about the advantages the city offers those wanting to start a business, visit the Business
People section.