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France to host mammoth exhibition in Delhi

Ranvir Nayar in Paris

French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin is likely to visit India in early December to inaugurate a major exercise to improve its "poor" image in India. As part of this, hectic preparations are on in Paris for launching the largest show of the French industrial and technological might in India.

The idea for the event was mooted by President Jacques Chirac during his visit to India in January 1998 when he reportedly felt that France did not enjoy a reputation compatible with its actual might in high technology and industry. The event, which will be the largest show mounted by France for 1999 anywhere in the world, is also part of the concerted efforts being made by Chirac and Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to increase cooperation between the two countries and promote trade and investments.

The exhibition, called France India 2000, is expected to have participation from over 130 French companies, including its largest giants that have already established a presence in the Indian market. It will focus on some sectors where France is at the forefront of technology worldwide. These include aeronautics and space, infrastructure companies including shipping, transportation, ports, roads and urban development, telecommunications, health and energy. It will also have participation from the services sector including banks, tourism and information technology.

The event, being organised by the CFME-ACTIM, the French centre for organising industrial exhibitions all over the world, in close cooperation with the Confederation of Indian Industry, will be held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from December 6 and 10. The fair will be open to the public on the last two days, but the previous days have been reserved only for professional contacts.

"The main aim of this exhibition is to create a proper image of the French industry in India. It will be specifically focused on the professionals and the companies that may be interested in cooperating with the participating French companies,'' Pascal Galli, deputy director general of the CFME-ACTIM told rediff.com in Paris recently.

Galli says that though these fairs and exhibitions are not really aimed at joint ventures, this is an important part of the whole exercise.

"The main reason for organising these events is for the host market to learn about the French industry and know-how and for the participating French companies, the main gain is that they get to know the market that they are so far not very active in. It will give them an idea of the kind of market that India offers and also get to talk with their potential customers or partners,'' says Galli.

The inauguration will be preceded and accompanied by a huge media blitz. There will be a series of press conferences preceding the opening of the exhibition and the CFME-ACTIM has also planned to hit the Indian media with a number of advertisements at the same time.

And immediately after the Delhi event gets over, the CFME-ACTIM has planned to hit Bombay. This time with goods that are traditionally associated with France. Perfurmes, wines, cosmetics and fashionable clothes. The four-day event will be held at the Oberoi hotel from December 10. However, here France is not seeking to build its image in the Indian public at large.

"This event is being organised only for the purposes of marketing and professional contacts. And we expect a lot of them to turn up for the event,'' says Galli.

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