Montreal, January 8, 2026 – The Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal and the Conseil des arts de Montréal (CAM) are proud to announce that Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada will lead a major economic and cultural mission to South Korea from March 16 to 20.
This will be the mayor’s first international mission. This joint initiative aims to support the development of Montréal cultural organizations by promoting partnerships and stimulating their export potential.
“This mission reflects my administration’s vision: to make culture a fundamental pillar of our economy. It also represents a decisive step in the revitalization of Montréal Métropole culturelle, aimed at mobilizing all the community’s driving forces and reaffirming Montréal’s status as an international cultural leader,” said Montréal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada.
The South Korean Model
“South Korea’s meteoric success shows that bold cultural policy can be a powerful driver of development. By discovering how this country has successfully paired technological innovation with creativity, the Montréal arts organizations participating in the mission will be better equipped to shine on the international stage and break into promising new markets,” said Nathalie Maillé, Executive Director of the Conseil des arts de Montréal.
“More than a simple visit, this mission aims to position Montréal at the heart of Asian exchange networks. South Korea serves as a true gateway to the continent; establishing strong ties there is a sine qua non condition for giving our artists and cultural businesses lasting access to these fast‑growing markets,” added Isabelle Dessureault, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal.
Orchestrated by the Chamber and the CAM, which are combining their expertise in culture and economics, the mission also benefits from the support of the Ville de Montréal’s Economic Development Department.
Destinations: Seoul and Busan
The Montreal delegation will first land in Seoul, now one of the world’s epicenters of cultural and creative innovation. The city is known for its vibrant contemporary arts scene, major hubs for digital creation, design, and K-culture, as well as renowned institutions such as the MMCA, the Seoul Arts Center, and the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA).
The group will then travel to Busan, the country’s second largest city and a rapidly growing artistic hub, particularly in the visual arts, digital creation, broadcasting, and cultural cinema. The city also benefits from a strategic geographical position, offering access to the markets of South and East Asia.
A source of inspiration
A global leader in cultural industries—driven by the K-pop phenomenon, its cinema, and digital arts—South Korea has established itself as a model for the creative economy. In 2010, the country rolled out a national strategy focused on innovation, content, and entrepreneurship.
Its success is based on technological and creative convergence, targeted support for cultural SMEs, and effective cultural diplomacy. This strategy has led to a 5.7% increase in the number of cultural enterprises in one year and 6% growth in employment in the sector.
For its part, Montreal can count on cultural and creative industries that are a fundamental pillar of the city’s economy: they generate 6% of the city’s GDP and support more than 112,000 jobs.
For more information, please visit the mission’s webpage.
About the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal (CCMM)
With a network of nearly 8,000 members, the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal (hereinafter “the Board of Trade”) acts on three fronts: it represents the voice of the city’s business community, offers specialized services to businesses and their employees, and leads impactful initiatives to strengthen the business environment. For over 200 years, it has been involved in issues that are crucial to the prosperity of businesses and the city. With the support of its specialists, the Chamber aims to accelerate the creation and growth of businesses of all sizes, both locally and internationally.
About the Conseil des arts de Montréal
Offering a wide range of assistance, the Conseil des arts de Montréal identifies, supports and recognizes artistic innovation and creative expression in all their forms with a view to promoting Montréal artists and the organizations that create, produce and present art. Since 1956, the Conseil has been a unique catalyst for this artistic ecosystem, helping make Montréal a vibrant cultural metropolis.
Source :
Joanna Kanga
Stratège, Relations médias et Communications numériques
Chambre de commerce du Montréal métropolitain
Tél. : 514 669-6746
jkanga@ccmm.ca
Bluesky : @chambremontreal.bsky.social
X : @chambremontreal
Pour poursuivre la discussion : #ccmm
Amélie St-Cyr
Directrice adjointe aux communications et à la promotion
Conseil des arts de Montréal
Tél : 514 969-2044
amelie.st-cyr@montreal.ca
Chiara Wipfli
Attachée de presse
Cabinet de la mairesse et du comité exécutif
Ville de Montréal
Tél. (263) 999-8665
chiara.wipfli@montreal.ca
