UBIFRANCE UK News

UBIFRANCE UK News n° 20 - 11 February 2010

Although it is probably too early to state that the economic recovery is truly and fully under way in Western Europe, and although there are still quite a few clouds on the horizon (and countries such as Greece and Spain have been in the spotlight for uncomfortable reasons recently, more particularly), here at the press bureau of the French Trade Commission UBIFRANCE in London, we can say that the first six weeks of 2010 have been very different from January and February 2009.

A year ago, the level of activity was eerily low for much of the early part of the year, as if the economic slowdown, which had started in the summer of 2008, had finally hit home. Things eventually picked up in the latter part of the first half of 2009, before subsiding again, but there was definitely a very slow start to the year.

A year on, and the picture is quite different, which is undoubtedly a relief. We have had a lot of enquiries from French companies and trade associations interested in doing business in the UK, and many have in fact requested our assistance in order to facilitate their development in the British market. The sectors covered range from food & drink (including, but not only, wine) to information technology, nuclear energy, construction, and financial services, among many others. The wide range of stories covered in this bulletin (below) also illustrates this point.

The conclusion must be that French companies are, once again, being more aggressive and determined in the implementation of their export plans, and that the British market is, once more, viewed as attractive, while still being undeniably challenging. We can only hope that the coming months will confirm this trend, so that we may see the final end of the 2008-2009 recession at some stage this year.

We have many exciting events planned for the coming months. In January, already, we lent our support to two events organised by our colleagues within the sectorially based departments at the French Trade Commission. The first one (on 19 January) showcased 85 independent wine-growers of the Fédération des Vignerons Indépendants (FVI), who were able to let visitors taste their very French products at a truly English venue — Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. The second one (on 22 January) was in the field of cosmetics, and took place in the elegant surroundings of the Sofitel London St James hotel.

There will be a sizeable French presence, in the coming months, at Hotelympia (28 February to 4 March) and Oceanology (9 to 11 March), as well as Internet World and Infosecurity (27 to 29 April), which illustrates the breadth of our activities — from interior design and the hotel industry to IT and internet technology, as well as marine technology in all its forms.

Ecobuild (2 to 4 March) is also going to be a major trade event. As the trade show devoted to sustainable construction and environmentally friendly building technology, it is attracting a lot of interest internationally. The French Pavilion, organised by the French Trade Commission, will have about 15 companies in attendance, which is revealing of the dynamics of a fast-growing sector.

In all these areas, French companies are seeking partners in the UK and have a lot to offer. If any of these sectors is of interest to you, do not hesitate to get in touch with us at the press office, and we will endeavour to supply you with relevant information as well as useful contacts.

Back to wine and we have several prestigious events planned for the coming months, notably a wine tasting session that will take place on 4 March at a top-notch Central London venue, which we must keep secret for now. It will give wine writers, specialist journalists and trade buyers the opportunity to try for themselves the 2009 Bordeaux vintage. The event is organised by the French Trade Commission on behalf of Cercle Rive Droite de Grands Vins de Bordeaux, the trade association of Bordeaux wine growers that are based on the right bank of the river Gironde (i.e. north of the river).

With nearly 130 châteaux, the Cercle comprises estates that are among the most famous in the world. Indeed, they are situated within prestigious appellations (i.e. certified regions of origin) such as Entre-Deux-Mers, Premières Côtes de Bordeaux, Côtes de Bourg, Pomerol, Fronsac, and Saint-Emilion Grand Cru.

I can already reveal that the 2009 vintage (or millésime) is expected to be first-class, and I can also announce, in a worldwide exclusive, that I personally intend to do my duty and continue supporting the French wine industry actively in 2010 — also through assiduous drinking. (As environmentalists never cease to remind us, and rightly so, little and seemingly insignificant personal lifestyle choices can have far-reaching consequences well worth pondering.) Kate Ambler, Press Officer, is also looking forward to performing her professional duties in this respect with utmost dedication, as she has assured me. (I have heard rumours that Kate occasionally drinks non-French wine, but refuse to believe that this may be the case.)

As you can see, the year has got off to an impressive start here at the press bureau of the French Trade Commission, and we hope that things are also looking rosier for you in 2010: I think it is fair to say that not too many people — apart from lawyers specialising in bankruptcy proceedings and the like — are going to miss 2009.

The next issue of UBIFRANCE UK News will be sent to you around mid-April 2010. Till then, we wish you an interesting and prosperous start to the year.

Philip Jolly

Manager — Press Office

Mission Economique UBIFRANCE, the French Trade Commission in London

Food & Drink

Business & Sports

Construction & the Environment

Engineering & Transport

Independent Wine-Growers score a near-century at Lord’s

Introducing the French Association of Independent Wine-Growers was an exhibition for trade professionals which took place on Tuesday 19 January 2010 in the Nursery Pavilion of Lord’s Cricket Ground, in London. The event gave 85 independent wine-growers from across France the opportunity to present their unique wines.