Paris working to attract French firms to Expo 2020
New business centre to work as an accelerator to assist French companies
■ the French Trade Commission — all are working together on a national plan to increase the awareness of French companies about the importance of Expo 2020 and what the French pavilion should be like,” Cruz said.
New perspectives
Last year, Paris announced its participation in the international exhibition, and during his visit to UAE last November, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Expo 2020 was the beginning of a new phase that will witness new projects and new perspectives. Macron reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening political and business ties between the two countries.
Also, a French company, Thales, was selected for the signalling on Dubai Metro’s Red line extension. Known as Route 2020, the 15 kilometre extension will link the World Expo 2020 site with the rest of the network. Next month, a new business centre will open in Dubai Silicon Oasis, and it will work as an accelerator to assist French companies interested in working in UAE.
The UAE, and particularly Dubai, has the largest French business community in the Middle East, and ranks 10th in the network of French Chambers of Commerce abroad. There are 120 chambers in 90 countries, said Cruz.
Last week, the French Business Council, which is sponsored by Dubai Chamber of Commerce, celebrated its 30th anniversary in UAE.
In Dubai and Northern Emirates, there are 800 members of the FBC representing 450 companies; French, international and local.
“The French companies are interested in coming to Dubai because it is a hub, but it is a place where expats can live, peacefully, security,” she said.
The French presence in Dubai is around 700 subsidiaries, while the UAE is the second largest market for France in the GCC after Saudi Arabia, Cruz said.
France exports to UAE in 2017 amounted to €3.4 billion (Dh15.27 billion) while UAE imported goods worth €1.1 billion from France in 2017.