The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and AXA Private Equity have entered into a partnership to better support Québec- and European-based businesses with international development prospects.
Through this joint effort, the partners will share their respective market knowledge and networks in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle-East with companies.
Normand Provost, executive vice-president private equity and chief operations officer of the Caisse, says: “The partnership is part of our strategy to provide additional support to the best performing and most promising mid-sized Québec businesses in their international expansion. The Caisse’s role is not simply to offer financing to businesses, but also to contribute its expertise and networks. We are offering them our ability to negotiate across all borders, as well as our international experience and extensive business network. We are delighted that Axa Private Equity has agreed to allow Québec businesses to benefit from its international network, which is particularly far-reaching in Europe and Asia.”
Dominique Senequier, chief executive of Axa Private Equity, commented: “This partnership is fully in keeping with the Axa Private Equity tradition to help the businesses we invest in to develop both industrially and geographically. The Caisse’s experience and its multi-market knowledge, especially in North America, will be immensely useful in supporting the global growth of businesses. We are very pleased to join forces with a trusted partner who has already supported us in a number of business endeavours.”
AXA Private Equity and the Caisse are longstanding partners. This agreement will consolidate the firms’ alliance and contribute to the growth of businesses by placing practical tools at their disposal. According to the two firms, the improvement of productivity, globalisation of operations, and transfer of ownership are major challenges facing business leaders, both in Québec and Europe.
Their expertise will allow companies to join a global distribution network, search for suppliers, conclude a research and development joint venture, strike up an alliance with a foreign company, or take over an international competitor.
The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is a financial institution that manages funds primarily for public and private pension and insurance funds.
