On Friday March 5, 2010, the Montréal office of Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP (FMC) welcomed the Vice President for the East Asia and Pacific Region of the World Bank, Mr. James W. Adams, by jointly hosting a breakfast meeting with the International Economic Forum of the Americas / Conference of Montréal. FMC’s national management leaders and partners, and other senior executives of major domestic and international businesses were in attendance.

Mr. Adams shared his outlook on the challenges and opportunities that lie on the path toward sustainable growth in East Asia. For the past 10 years, East Asian countries achieved increased productivity, but their economies were adversely affected by the real effects of the global economic slowdown. The crisis led to a severe contraction in global and regional manufactured exports and production.

Over the past year, the World Bank has provided significant funding to help East Asian economies face the global crisis and launch multiple cross-sectoral operations addressing governance, business climates, urban management, and climate change. Other priorities include gender equality, community-driven development, disaster mitigation and reconstruction, and conflict prevention.

"We are very pleased with Mr. Adams’ visit and with all of today’s discussions on the economic circumstances in the East Asian region," says Claude Morency, managing partner of FMC’s Montréal office. "East Asia is brimming with business opportunities and we want to stay ahead of the wave regarding the situation in the Asian markets."

Mr. Adams joined the World Bank in 1974. He has held a variety of operational positions in East Asia, Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa.

For further information, please contact:

Véronique St-Germain
Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP
514 878 8823
veronique.st-germain@fmc-law.com