In Conversation - With Mr. Dominic Marcotte, Consul and Director, Bureau du Quebec in Mumbai

AlCircle has been in a cordial relationship with Bureau du Quebec in Mumbai, mostly attributed to our long time association with Aluminium Association of Canada as well as the Quebec Aluminium Industry, as a portal catering to the global aluminium sector. We had an opportunity to interact with Mr. Dominic Marcotte, Consul and Director, Bureau du Quebec in Mumbai, during the Quebec National Day event in Mumbai. The extremely cordial and well versed diplomat talked about the positively growing relationship between Canada and India and about the common bond that holds together both the countries, i.e. aluminium.  We asked a few questions on the trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada and on how Quebec, the aluminium hub of Canada is exploring the Indian market. 

Here is an excerpt from the interview:

AlCircle: Considering the current developments in the international market where the US is heading towards a trade war with almost all its trading partners, how do you see the relation between India and Canada moving? 

Dominic Marcotte: The recent decisions by the American government have reminded the government of Quebec how much it was depending on the United States for External Trade. It’s clear that Quebec will do everything in its power to have a positive outcome in the trade negotiations with the United States but it will also invest itself in the diversification of its markets with more determination than ever before. India, a country and a partner with such a dynamic economy and impressive growth rate will hopefully be a place where we see a significant development in commerce and partnership.

AlCircle:  How do you see India and Quebec collaborating in the metal/aluminium sector development?

Dominic Marcotte: India is one of the top primary aluminium producers in the world. Quebec’s aluminium industry has developed leading-edge expertise in primary aluminium production and processing.

Also, over the years, a strong primary aluminium production industry in Québec has stimulated the development of renowned equipment manufacturers and specialized suppliers. Today, an aluminium smelter can be built and operated from A to Z relying essentially on goods and services from Québec, one of the only places in the world where this is possible. Thus, Quebec can certainly contribute to India’s growing aluminium production industry, going forward.

Identifying possibilities of collaboration between India and Quebec in the aluminium sector will be an on-going and long-term process. With India’s growing infrastructure needs and the growing demand for aluminium, we see a lot of potential for common interest projects and the sharing of know-how between India’s and Quebec’s aluminium industries.

AlCircle: The Quebec aluminium delegation visited India in 2017 to discuss on project collaboration with the Indian aluminium sector. Was there any outcome in that regard?

Dominic Marcotte: Aluminium production projects are huge and necessitate a study of lot of parameters and continuous dialogues between the concerned organizations.

Our mission in 2017 was a success and links have been established with the three major Indian producers of raw aluminium as well as first and second transformation. We hope to increase the number of visits to India to further discussions between companies from Quebec and India. 

In the coming year, we plan to participate in the Aluminium India 2019 trade show, which will be held from January 31st to February 2nd 2019 in Bhubaneswar, in the state of Orissa, in addition to visiting the Indian aluminium smelters again. We also want to invite important Indian players to Quebec in the next year.

AlCircle:What are the downstream strategies taken up by Quebec government for the development of the aluminium sector?

Dominic Marcotte: In collaboration with the industry, the Québec government is implementing a new policy in the aluminium sector, The Québec Aluminium Development Strategy 2015-2025. Accordingly, Québec is the first jurisdiction to implement a comprehensive strategy aimed at the growth and success of all links in the aluminium value chain and has adopted the ambitious objective of doubling aluminium processing by 2025 through setting up a favourable business environment for aluminium processing in Québec.

AlCircle: What is your view on AlCircle as a portal catering exclusively to the global aluminium industry? How best do you think we can collaborate in future?

Dominic Marcotte: AlCircle is a unique specialised portal and hence caters to a specific audience that is of great interest to the aluminium industry irrespective of geographies. As we already did in the past, we hope that we will be able to help you understand better Quebec’s Aluminium industry so that this knowledge can help both sides to better understand how we can establish a fruitful partnership in the future.

Disclaimer: “The information presented herein is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional advice. The views and opinions shared in the interview section of www.alcircle.com are unique to the interviewees and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of www.alcircle.com."