"The establishment of the ACI in Montreal is major economic news. The presence of this organization will not only help extend the city's reach and reputation around the world, it will also generate some $4.5 million in economic and tax spinoffs per year while creating 30 new jobs by the year 2014," commented Minister of State Lebel.

The Minister of State underscored that this decision has been made possible in part by financial assistance awarded by Canada Economic Development through the organization Montreal International.

ACI is an organization dedicated to building relationships among its members-airports worldwide, government partners, aviation companies and aircraft manufacturers-in an effort to improve the safety, efficiency and environmental-friendliness of air transport.

The establishment of ACI in proximity to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and International Air Transport Association (IATA) will make Montreal the only city where civil aviation stakeholders work side by side. ACI's presence will help promote the city as a prime location for conferences, international symposiums and training sessions. Moreover, the organization plans to open a regional training centre in Montreal by 2012, an initiative that is sure to generate significant additional spinoffs.

Since its creation, Montreal International has helped attract $7.5 billion in foreign direct investment to Montreal and contributed to the creation of some 43,000 jobs. In 2008 alone, the organization helped draw $630.7 million in foreign investment to the metropolis, ensuring the creation and maintenance of more than 3,300 jobs. Nearly 75% of these investments are in the high-technology sector. Montreal International's mission finds its legitimacy in the organization's public-private partnership with the Communaute metropolitaine de Montreal (CMM), the City of Montreal, the governments of Canada and Quebec and the private sector.

Canada Economic Development is online at www.dec-ced.gc.ca. Subscribe to the Agency's press releases at http://www.dec-ced.gc.ca/eng/media-room/mailing-list/list.html to keep up with the latest news.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Canada Economic Development Marie-Claude Lemire Communications 514-283-2199 [email protected] Canada Economic Development Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel Benoit Fortin - Special Assistant, Communications 819-997-3319 [email protected] Source: Canada Economic Development

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