UAE-France non-oil trade expected to grow further

Abu Dhabi: Non-oil trade between the UAE and France stood at Dh2.43 billion in 2005, and is expected to continue growing, according to the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI).

Speaking while announcing the second French Technology Forum in Abu Dhabi on November 28-29, Mohammad Omar Abdullah, director of ADCCI, said this year's forum will focus on the telecommunications and multimedia sectors.

"The forum is expected to receive 200 delegates from Emarati and French companies, as well as government decision-makers and personalities from the wider UAE business community," the French Business Group (FBG) announced in a statement yesterday.

"The forum's keynote speaker will be Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, in his capacity as the chairman of the UAE committee for the supervision of the telecommunications sector, and Osman Sultan, du's chief executive officer, will also be a guest speaker," said Sylvie Foss, FBG's executive director.

"There are leading French companies participating in the event this year including Marias, Thales, Thomson and Alcatel which is the world's leading broadband technology provider, accounting for 33 per cent of the world market," said Jean-Pierre Laurant, honorary president of FBG.

The forum is intended for exchanging views as well as seeking business opportunities between the French companies and their local counterparts.