The Hindu Business Line : France keen on tie-up ventures with Bengal

FRANCE, impressed by the state of industrial resurgence in West Bengal, has expressed keen interest in collaborative ventures in the State, particularly in agri-processing and public transportation - two areas in which French companies command a global presence.

The ventures, to start with, are likely to be in the areas of technology transfer.

Responding to queries by presspersons at an interactive session organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce here on Tuesday, Mr Jean Leviol, Economic, Commercial and Financial Counsellor for South Asia and Head of Economic Missions, Embassy of France in India, said some areas have already been identified, and many French companies already having a large presence in the State are expected to carry the process forward.

Some of the ventures could be in the emerging areas of fruits, vegetables and dairy products, considering that France has world class companies in agri-business such as Pernord Ricard, Moet Hennessy, Danone, Lactalys, Bongrain, Bonduelle, Doux and Soufflet.

The senior official said French companies entering into joint ventures always give priority to investments with the sole purpose of creating jobs in the host country. Some 70 per cent of the French exports into India, backed by investments, are said to be in the area of textiles and garments. The 10 French companies in the top 100 worldwide list are Total, Carrefour, Vivendi, PSA, EDF, France Telecom, Suez, Les Mousquetaires, Renault and Saint Gobain.

Mr Leviol said the first affordable (costing only Euro 6,000) `Logan" car by Renault in collaboration with the Mahindras (at the plant in Nasik), will be commercialised by 2007. France, the second largest producer of automobiles in Europe, has 20 main assembly plants.

On his meeting with the Chief Minister, Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, he said, "I respect the CM's views on supply chain concerns whenever large retail giants are invited to invest in the State, and we are willing to wait."