‘Preparations for CHOGM. Colombo was a busy hive of activity. We were wondering if infrastructure for that event could be completed. It was done. No problem. It was a substantial undertaking of deft organization; of things falling into place. Of every little detail being
observed and the main event worked off with clinical attention to detail, said Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka Jean-Paul Monchau recently, talking to the business community and the press at the National Chamber of Commerce auditorium.
The National Chamber convened the conference to disclose benefits for Lanka through interaction with French business interests. Additionally, interest zones for French involvement in commercial activity and broadening the sphere to promote and enhance closer French business ties with Sri Lanka featured in the event. However,the more important aspect was that economic activity witnessed rapid growth here.
Commercial activity prevailing in Sri Lanka was impressive, Monchau said. Within that climate of on-going infrastructure so essential for any commercial undertaking, French businesses would be encouraged to extend their business undertakings for joint projects.
He said, currently tea and garments were their main business dealings. Tea amounts to barely 4 % imports to France. The press suggested that rather than the French people drink wine, they should drink more tea and improve trade relations with Sri Lanka. ( Ceylon Tea was synonymous with a quality product from Sri Lanka). The room erupted in laughter.
The press also questioned Ambassador Monchau on travel restrictions enforced by the French government which stifled business possibilities for Sri Lankan businesses. He said there were some restrictions in place but such areas of concern could always be ironed out.
He said population in France would grow and by 2050,France would be the most populated country in Europe.
Currently France is the 5th most powerful economic power in the world. This would improve. For instance, America grew because of its contributory human resources factor and they placed high importance on that resource. Conversely, the German economy would slow down because that country is faced with dwindling population figures.
France now has 65 million people and there was every possibility that the French population would grow.
The student population too was growing. Language was no problem because there were about 700 English colleges and institutions that had their instructions in English. Students were taught in that language as well.
French exposure to the world was progressively expanding in commerce and trade.
France was looking for business partners in rubber based products, gems and jewellery, ceramics, spices, coconut fibre and similar areas of exports.
Chairman Export Development Board ( EDB) and Director General EDB clarified areas for French interaction. Also Director, BOI, Dilip S. Samarasinghe commenting said the BOI encouraged partnerships and added that further clarification could be gleaned from their web sites. He said they were also available online for further information.
Ambassador Monchau said infrastructure growth in Sri Lanka and allied commercial advancement were significant. Such advances could be plus factors that would promote closer business activity for mutual benefit.
Influx of tourists to Sri Lanka from France, he said, was also increasing. Last year some 65,000 tourists visited Sri Lanka.
At the press conference, the head table included, Deputy President, National Chamber of Commerce Sujeewa Samarasekera, Deputy President NC, Tilak Godamaana, Jean- Paul Monchau, President NC, Sunil G. Wijesinghe, Economist, French Embassy, Jean-Louis Poli, Sec General, NC, Bandula Dissanayake.
