Danao City, Cebu – The French Government is expecting to create a better trade relationship with the Philippines as it recognizes the latter as a prospective business hub in Asia.

Gilles Garachon, French Ambassador to the Philippines said the relationship between France and the Philippines “goes a long way,” but, there is much potential for such a relationship to improve, noting that trade volume between both countries is still limited.

“The Philippines is developing fast and the French government can very well capture this opportunity in terms of better establishing our presence here,” Garachon said in the sidelines of the recent opening of French company Lafarge Republic Inc., which operates a cement plant in Danao City, Cebu.

Garachon admitted that the French “knows little about the Philippines” both as a trading partner and a tourism destination citing the lack of knowledge and accessibility as hindrances.

However, Garachon said this is expected to change with more French companies now setting up business in the Philippines.

Among the French companies and brands in the Philippines are oil company Total which has put up gasoline stations in the country, construction materials provider Lafarge, cosmetic products L’Oréal and Maybelline, apparel brand Lacoste, energy management specialist Schneider Electric, call center Teleperformance and Thales, which supplies electronic control systems to airports

French Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (FCCP) president Cyril Rocke said the FCCP is out to promote its members’ interests in the country and “create closer relationships” with the Philippine business community.

“The standard of living in the Philippines is increasing, leading to improved consumption and investment opportunities across the board,” Rocke said.

The FCCP president said that in order to understand the country’s edge and competence, new investors have to realize that the Philippines has already emerged from a “dark economic stage through its people’s optimistic outlook, hard work and perseverance.”

Said Rocke, “French investment in the Philippines is a network of industries with strong movements in sectors of business process outsourcing, infrastructure, health care, pharmaceuticals, beauty, wellness and food.”

He bared plans to reactivate the Philippines-France council.

At present, FCCP has a partnership with the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) helping the latter serve regions outside Luzon.

FCCP is promoting the image of both countries through aggressive approaches in culture and education, with assistance from the Makati Business Club and the France Business Council (FBC).

On April 8, the first and the largest international exhibition of Philippine pre-colonial arts will open in a museum in Paris, and Rocke said a replica of the exhibit organized by the FCCP will be held in the country, tentatively, at the Ayala Museum in Makati.

He also informed that the FCCP will be looking forward to French Week in Manila from June 17 to 22 while diplomatic relations between the Philippines and France will be celebrated on June 26.

Source: Manila Bulletin; English; 2 April 2013