When it comes to high-tech textiles, Québec has the highest concentration of manufacturers and exporters of a wide range of products with multiple applications. The industry prepared itself to face fierce competition by turning to high technology to imagine new high value-added products. This dynamism and ability to innovate will enable some 70 Québec companies in the sector to benefit from constant growth in world demand.

This very promising outlook is the result of some remarkable work. In 2003, Québec accounted for more than 80% of R&D spending on textiles in Canada. In this regard, mention must be made of the efforts of the Centre des technologies textiles de Saint-Hyacinthe that, coupled with the initiatives of companies, enable Québec to distinguish itself both nationally and internationally.

I invite you to take a look at Québec's offering of high-tech textiles that are attracting the attention of buyers throughout the world. You will see that a host of business opportunities
are available and that Québec is a true leader in high-tech textiles and that its companies are remarkable commercial partners.

On behalf of the Québec government, I wish you a very productive Techtextil North America Trade Fair.

Raymond Bachand
Minister of Economic Development,
Innovation and Export Trade