The Quebec Employers Council (CPQ) wants to convince Quebec entrepreneurs to do business elsewhere than in the United States. Seeing the great potential for economic growth in the countries of the Francophonie, particularly those in Africa, the CPQ chose businesswoman Danièle Henkel as ambassador of the economic Francophonie.

“That’s 10 million businesses that we could reach in the Francophonie. It’s a real potential for Quebec,” enthused the president and CEO of the CPQ, Karl Blackburn, in an interview with La Presse.

The impacts of the closure of borders with the American neighbor during the pandemic and the rise of its protectionism led him to say that exporting 70% of Quebec’s production to the American market weakens the province. “It is clear that we must find ways to diversify our markets,” he says.

Sitting next to him in the CPQ offices in Montreal, the ambassador of the economic Francophonie adds.

“It’s always others who think big, why not us in Quebec? Why couldn’t we innovate and create this excitement for somewhere other than the United States of America? », Supports Danièle Henkel, stimulated by her new mission after 34 years in Quebec.

The statistics speak for themselves, say the duo. Be it the 321 million French speakers in the world, the 14% of natural resources located in French-speaking territories and the 16% of the world’s gross domestic product in the Francophonie. Without forgetting that the third business language spoken in the world, present on five continents, is French, adds Mr. Blackburn.

The CPQ is part of the Alliance of French-speaking employers, created in 2022, which brings together around thirty employers around the world.

“We must get out of this fragmentation of Quebec which wants to remain Quebec. No, Quebec can be a leader,” insists the businesswoman, who did business in China when the country was still classified as an emerging country.

With her North African origins, her international knowledge and her experience working with women entrepreneurs here and abroad, Danièle Henkel is the perfect person for this role, says the CPQ.

In June 2023, during the International Meeting of Francophone Entrepreneurs (REF) in Quebec, the businesswoman’s speech created a buzz among the 800 entrepreneurs gathered, reports the CPQ, who believe that she will be the right interlocutor and the good example in countries where women are not used to being at the forefront in business.

“Entrepreneurs elsewhere really appreciated our approach when they came to Quebec in June 2023. It is an equal, win-win relationship, there is not one conqueror versus one conquered. We don’t want to change people, but only to be able to trade together and provide each other with what we lack,” she explains.

According to a survey of event participants, 50% said they envisioned direct economic benefits for their business and nearly 40% estimated them at more than $100,000.

The next International Meeting of Francophone Entrepreneurs (REF) will take place in May 2024 in Casablanca, Morocco.