FRENCH BUSINESS COUNCIL 25th ANNIVERSARY
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Working towards a better tomorrow
The quality of life, safety and warmth of the nation make the UAE a wonderful place for families to live Eric Giraud-Telme, Consul General of France in Dubai and Northern Emirates
Celebrating 40 years of strong partnership The two countries are strategic partners and share strong economic, trade, cultural and military ties
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he year 2012 is important as it marks many milestones in the UAEFrance ties. On the French National Day on July 14, Eric Giraud-Telme, the French Consul General of France in Dubai and Northern Emirates, reflected on the glorious history of these two nations. “Just months after the formation of the UAE, France established diplomatic relations with the UAE. This year we celebrate 40 years and are very proud that both countries are working now within the framework of a strategic partnership which boosted all aspects of our cooperation: Political, economic, commercial, military, cultural, scientific and educational. This makes this partnership between the two
countries so important,” he says. The French Business Council Dubai and Northern Emirates celebrates glorious 25 years that have seen significant growth in bilateral trade between the UAE and France. The number of French companies in the country is growing by 10 per cent each year, and the UAE is the most important commercial partner for France in the region. A small French community came to the UAE in the 1970s. The numbers have grown significantly since then, with more and more French people attracted to the UAE over the years (now over 13,000 in Dubai and Northern Emirates, and almost 20,000 as a whole). “The quality of life, safety and warmth of the nation make the UAE a wonderful place for
families to live. I have been here for two years and I and my family love it here,” says the Consul General. The opening of the Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi in 2006 and the much-anticipated opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi are symbolic of the partnership and co-operation between the two countries in all spheres. “France respects the vision of the leaders of the UAE The President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and wish to cooperate even more, in a spirit of friendship which has always characterised our relationship,” he adds.
FBC has over 500 members and provides business support and recruitment services to French companies Isabelle Leroy, Director, French Business Council
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he French Business Council of Dubai and the Northern Emirates (FBC) was formed in 1987 and is a non-profit association under UAE law. It was created to promote business relationships and increase economic and business relations between France and Dubai and the Northern Emirates. Today, 25 years later, the FBC has over 500 members and provides business support and recruitment services to French companies and businesspeople, with a full time team of seven staff and an Executive Committee of 12 elected board members. The FBC’s 25th anniversary milestone is set against a background of continued growth in the presence and impact of the French business community in the UAE. The number of French companies based in the UAE stands at
around 1,000 and is increasing at around 15 per cent per annum. The 25th anniversary celebrations peaked with a special celebratory Gala Dinner in Dubai in March that brought together almost 700 guests, from the UAE and French communities, including VIPs and dignitaries. The event was our opportunity to celebrate 25 years of our close friendship with the UAE, and also to thank our gracious hosts in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. Set against this background of increasing French business presence and impact, the FBC continues to grow and we can look ahead with a great deal of optimism. The team at the FBC is now focused on our three-year plan to steer the group to the next level with a significantly larger membership, stronger relationships with Emirati organisations and a clear position as a Franco-Emirati chamber
Lionel Reina, Vice President, French Business Council and President of LE Club (and General Delegate Arabia for Orange Business Services, Chairman of Orange Business Arabia) of commerce. We believe we can help encourage investment into the UAE from France, as relations continue to deepen between our two countries. Over the last two years, the FBC has continued to broaden its scope of activities, creating a new senior management group for members in larger corporations — ‘LE Club’, led by FBC VP, Lionel Reina — to complement the SME group (Club Synergie). Our new initiatives will add even greater value for our members, alongside our advisory, recruitment, serviced offi ce and networking services, whilst also helping to drive membership growth. Under the direction of a new President and new Director Isa-
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FRENCH BUSINESS COUNCIL
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France-UAE networking
HAMRIYAH FREE ZONE AUTHORITY
Ubifrance is riding high on the back of burgeoning trade between France and the UAE and is helping French companies find business opportunities here
Connecting workforce and businesses Francois SPORRER Trade Commissioner Ubifrance
THE government agency or the French Trade Commission in the UAE is the first port of call for any aspiring French company looking for business opportunities in the emirates. With a focus on the SME (small and medium businesses) segment, Ubifrance offers consulting, networking and communication assistance to companies aspiring to do business in the UAE. The French National day or Bastille Day was celebrated just a few days ago and Francois Sporrer, Trade Commissioner at Ubifrance, feels this is a special time for celebrating historical ties between UAE and France. While the trade commission is just three years old, the relations between the two countries — be it diplomatic, economic, political or cultural, are 40 years old this year. UAE is the number one export market for France and is ahead of even Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Last year exports to UAE accounted for 3.6 billion Euros coming from a broad spectrum of industry ranging from retail,
Ubifrance works closely with the French Business Council in providing end-to-end assistance to French businesses wanting to explore the region for opportunities
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Under the direction of a new President and new Director Isabelle Leroy, the FBC is marking its Silver Jubilee year in 2012 with a series of new initiatives to help strengthen bilateral ties — including a road show to the Northern Emirates, a focus on supporting the development of young professionals and boosting business women’s networking opportunities
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belle Leroy, the FBC is marking its Silver Jubilee year in 2012 with a series of new initiatives to help strengthen bilateral ties — including a road show to the Northern Emirates, a focus on supporting the development of young professionals and boosting business women’s networking opportunities. The FBC will continue its regular member activities and is already planning new initiatives for the rest of the year, with the aim of using the momentum of these new initiatives to propel the group forward and help drive FBC membership. Part of the new strategy of the FBC is to intensify efforts to build a greater presence and impact in the Northern Emirates and extend the group’s activities more evenly across the whole of the northern UAE, to balance the concentration of commercial activity in Dubai. The French Business Council Dubai and Northern Emirates has spent considerable effort in organising outreach missions in recent months and the new management team is determined to roll out the approach more broadly. The majority of FBC member-
The number of French companies based in the UAE stands at around 1,000 and is increasing at around 15 per cent per annum
fashion, high-end luxury products and cosmetics. With the economic situation in Europe, small and medium businesses realise that they need to expand outside France in order to grow. Ubifrance provides the perfect platform for them to explore opportunities in this region. While François’s job has been challenging in the last few years, particularly in the light of economic activity as well as political changes like the Arab spring in the region, it has been the best time for his team to present the
ship comprises SMEs and we believe we need to do more to build our membership and presence within this northern region of the country beyond the Dubai commercial hub and ensure that all the Northern Emirates have access to French business services and opportunities through the FBC. Our roadshows to the Northern Emirates have helped us showcase our work in support of SMEs and allow us to listen to business leaders in these Emirates, through sector specific roundtables. This greater understanding of local business needs, and how the French business community can work with and support local business in these Emirates, is an important part of our strategy. We have already started in Fujairah and Sharjah and will continue this activity through 2012. Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) in collaboration with the FBC held the first ever Sharjah-French Round-Table in May 2012, during which we shared investment opportunities in the commercial, tourism and cultural sectors in Sharjah and France.
UAE in a new light to French businesses. Ubifrance does not just offer advisory services, but proactively seeks out opportunities from French businesses to expand beyond its borders. Francois regularly travels to France to attend chamber of commerce meetings and other events, to showcase UAE as a business destination. Ubifrance works closely with the French Business Council in providing end-to-end assistance to French businesses wanting to explore the region for opportunities. Ubifrance is, therefore, the first step in the process, before it hands over the legal and technical aspects of starting a business in the UAE to the French Business Council. On the personal front, François has worked in several countries prior to his stint in the UAE. Of all the postings so far, he finds that he and the family have found the UAE the easiest place to settle in.
Sharjah business leaders and prominent members of the French business community discussed a number of topics, including logistics, renewable energy sources and environmental issues, travel and tourism, as well as the healthcare sector, in line with the Emirates development strategy. The FBC’s 25th anniversary takes place against a backdrop of rising membership, growing bilateral trade and increasingly strong educational and cultural links between the UAE and France. The French business community in the UAE is very committed to the country and confident about the prospects for the region, built on the excellent relationships between our two countries. According to the results of the 2012 survey conducted by the French Business Council Dubai & Northern Emirates (FBC) and French Business Group Abu Dhabi (FBG), there are grounds for strongly growing optimism amongst the French business community in the UAE, despite the uncertainty of the global economic situation and the regional unrest.
DELSEY
Travel smart
The French firm is the second biggest luggage brand in the world and has presence in over 110 countries spread across five continents DELAHAYE and the Seynhaeve brothers joined forces in 1946 to create DELSEY in France. DELSEY made use of the experience in the production of presentation boxes and cases and created a department for “travel items” in moulded plastic. In 1970, DELSEY used the skill it had acquired to create the fi rst French rigid luggage line — with ABS shell and metal frame technology — the DELSEY AIRSTYLE suitcase. Today, DELSEY is the second biggest luggage brand in the world. The creator of contemporary and design luggage, DELSEY has international brand presence in over 110 countries spread in five continents. Faithful to its DNA, travel smart, synonym for design and innovation, DELSEY has been rewarded several times for the quality of its products that combine aesthetics with functionality. DELSEY is, and will always be, very attentive to its consumers’ needs. Choosing a DELSEY bag is a guarantee of elegance and innovation for a long time. Delsey luggage is being distributed in the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain for more than 30 years by Jashanmal Group and is available at all Jashanmal Department Stores, Jashanmal Around the World Stores and select dealers.
Corporate social initiatives are at the heart of this free zone as it pays due attention to social and environmental concerns WORLDWIDE companies are re-examining the way they do business. This is not merely by addressing changes to technology or the needs of customers. Instead, business decision-making is now linked with ethical values and respect for people, community and the environment. At Hamriyah Free Zone Authority (HFZA), too, corporate social responsibility (CSR) has emerged as a central consideration in investment decisions. We seek to integrate social and environmental concerns in our business operations and in interaction with our stakeholders. We believe social accountability is a strategic practice and key to organisational success as it contributes to both a healthy bottom line and long-term sustainability. HFZA, therefore, initiated Hamriyah She-Q Club and Hamriyah Green Team as two of our not-forprofit, non-formal forums focusing on shared learning, continual trainings, field environmental campaigns and workshops for community development programmes in the areas of safety, health, environment and quality. At our recently conducted ‘Free HSE awareness training programme for HFZA investors’ labour and workforce community’, qualified speakers, trainers and presenters briefed members and participants on the importance of working safely in confined spaces. Statistics reveal that globally, on an average, two employees do not return home every week due to confined space accidents.
Rashid Al Leem, Director General, Sharjah Department of Seaports & Customs and Hamriyah Free Zone Authority
I believe, the measure of our success lies not in the numbers but in being hands-on with the emerging social concerns and priorities of both our internal and external stakeholders, and making a significant, visible difference to the HFZA community
Hamriyah Green Team conducted the ‘Second Hamriyah Heat Stress Management Campaign 2012’ in an effort to educate all workers, particularly those working outdoors, about the dangers of heat-related illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and the more life-threatening
heatstroke. During the campaign, HFZA companies were strongly encouraged to learn about the deadly effects of extreme heat and humidity on workers and what steps need to be taken to protect them. By involving, engaging and working closely with QHSE professionals from HFZA companies, business leaders at the free zone and the HFZA community at the grass root level, we strive to ensure that our sincere efforts towards sustainable development are on the right path. As we enter the third quarter of the current year, I am proud to announce the registration of 700 new investors from 80 countries. With 5,700 companies from across 140 countries now operating out of Hamriyah, I believe, the measure of our success lies not in the numbers but in being handson with the emerging social concerns and priorities of both our internal and external stakeholders, and making a significant, visible difference to the HFZA community.