MONTREAL - International companies are not abandoning Quebec, Premier Pauline Marois told QMI Agency after her visit to the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

Marois said that before attending the summit, which concluded Sunday, her government had concerns about the long-term commitment of certain companies operating in the province. Moreover, her government's critics continually allege that the Parti Quebecois' policies aren't friendly enough to big business.

However, Marois said that after speaking with the heads of major resource-extracting companies operating in Quebec, such as Alcoa, Tata Sun and ArcelorMittal, "businesses are interested in continuing to invest in Quebec."

Marois also hinted that Boeing might partner with a Montreal-based company to produce an energy-efficient glass windshield. She said she'll have more details on the proposal in the coming weeks.

While international firms are taking interest in Quebec's resources, a Quebec-based exploration company was rejected from drilling for oil in the Gaspe Peninsula.

Petrolia, whose majority of shares are owned by the U.K. firm CD Capital, announced Thursday it was halting drilling in part of the Quebec Gaspe Peninsula, about 700 km northeast of Quebec City.

The municipal council of Gaspe voted to ban any drilling on its
territory after citizen concern the project would damage the water table.

The Federation of Quebec Business criticized the government for not doing enough to support Petrolia.
Marois played down the news Saturday in London and said that while her government looks favorably on resource exploration, "it has to happen in a way that respects the environment."