Ambassador from France for closer ties with State

Stating that Gujarat had a potential for investment, French Ambassador to India, Bernard de Monteferrand said on Thursday that he is looking forward to closer ties between the two countries in business, food processing, water management, tourism, and infrastructure development.

Monteferrand met CM Narendra Modi and expressed a keen interest in developing trade and business ties with the State, The Chief Minister also invited the French Ambassador to participate in a seminar, ‘Resurgent Gujarat — Business Partnership Meet 2002’ that will be held in Ahmedabad next February.

Speaking to reports, Monteferrand said that while India and France enjoy close cultural tics, Gas de France already has a 10 percent stake in Petronet, a company that is setting up a gas terminal in Dahej in Bharuch district. "About 30 million dollars have been invested in this project that is the biggest gas terminal in Western India," he said.

Later, the Ambassador spoke to students of Indian Institute effects on September 11 attacks and its impact on international society. Monteferrand said that he was thrilled to know that nine French students are presently studying at IIM, Ahmedabad,

He added that both India and France shared similar views on the causes and effects of the September 11 WTC attack and France too has been a victim of such terrorist attacks. "There have been three waves of terrorist attacks against France in the past 15 years, primarily by Algerian Fundamentalist forces," he stated.

Republished from The Indian Express