Madame Michele Oliveres, President of the French-American Chamber of Commerce,
Mr. Philippe Yvergniaux, President of Invest in France Agency, North America,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear friends,

It is indeed a great honour and an immense pleasure to be here tonight on the occasion of the 6th Annual Crystal Peach Awards Ceremony, celebrating commercial ties between France and the American Southeast. It is also a privilege to again meet some of the key regional figures in the French American relationship.

From a business standpoint, 2009 was not a great year. 2010 shows promise for improvement, but the business climate remains a bit gloomy in many sectors of economic activity, both in Europe and the United States, where recovery is slow and unemployment is much too high. This climate still affects international trade and investment and certainly impacts economic relations between the US and France : although France is still the eleventh largest trade partner of the US, French exports to the US declined by 18.5% over the first 11 months in 2009, compared to the same period in 2008; at the same time, American exports to France declined by 5.4%; the total amount of trade between our two countries will be over 41 billion dollars in 2009, but the trade deficit in favour of the US has doubled and now stands close to 5 billion dollars.

1- In spite of the economic crisis, however, the French Authorities decided that it was time to make investments for the long run, and embarked on major political, economic and social reforms, which are designed to give a new momentum to a sustainable, national economic growth.

These reforms are changing the legal environment, where companies can be established and expanded:
-taxation on investment is being simplified and reduced,
-more flexibility is being introduced in the workplace,
-company law is being modernized and harmonized with European legislation,
-R&D and sustainable development are being promoted,
-and the arrival of foreign skills and expertise in France is being encouraged.

In France, from now on, absolute priority will be given to innovation and higher education.

In 2009, the French Authorities decided to launch a massive investment project designed to "prepare for after the crisis and overcome the problems of tomorrow." Through these public investments, the Government wishes to reinforce productivity and innovation in France as well as competitiveness for business.

49 billion dollars will be invested in research and higher education, selected strategic industry branches, such as biotechnology, nanotechnology, de-carbonated energy technologies and health.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

2- The American Southeast is also committed to innovation:

Over the past three decades, this region of the US has become one of the most dynamic elements of the American economy. The American Southeast’s assets and its sectorial diversity, today, –and without a doubt, in the long term- make it one of the main driving forces of the American economy. And Georgia is leading the way, with strategic industries, such as biotechnology, medical equipment, telecommunications, aerospace, energy and the environment.

3- France is willing to develop new cooperation and partnerships with the American Southeast in targeted areas of business and scientific research.

We have a broad and solid base to begin with:

Presently, the United States represents the number one foreign source of investment flowing into France, especially in chemical and metal manufacturing; so far, 3,800 American companies have invested in France; they generate a total of 750, 000 jobs.

France, on the other hand, remains the 7th largest foreign investor in the US, especially in chemical industries, finance and information technology; there are 3,000 French companies in the US; generating 550,000 jobs.

France exports almost 3 billion dollars to the American Southeast, mostly transportation equipment, industrial machinery, wood products, chemicals, electric and electronic products. More than 170 French companies have invested and created new jobs in the region (80 in Georgia) in very diverse sectors.

I am convinced that together, we can do more in the future:

-New business cooperation and partnerships should be explored between France and the Southeast, especially in biotechnology, nanotechnology and information technologies. I intend to introduce more French businesses to this region’s assets in these particular areas. In that regard, in recent weeks I have pleasantly remarked that more and more French companies choose this region for new investments, including in pharmaceutical, computer software, human resources and management consultancy areas.

-Furthermore, a new Scientific Attaché, Jacqueline Signorini, has arrived at the French Consulate in Atlanta to build new bridges and establish a more structured cooperation between French research centres and American clusters in the region.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

To move forward with these objectives, I have proposed to the French American community in Georgia to organize a common project called “France-Atlanta: Together towards innovation”.

Co-presented by the French Consulate and Georgia Tech, under the High Auspices of the French Ambassador to the United States, the Governor of Georgia and the Mayor of Atlanta, with the support of all the local French and French-American associations and institutions, “France- Atlanta” will provide at the end of 2010 for a period of 2 weeks a series of a high quality events promoting cooperation between France and Georgia within scientific, economic, artistic and humanitarian domains: workshops, seminars, symposiums, experts and business presentations, artistic shows and exhibitions. Together, we will plant the French American flags in Atlanta from November 29 to December 12, 2010.

I am urging you to support and participate in this program, which will be an excellent opportunity to reinforce the links between France and the American Southeast and contribute to the renewal of the French American relationship to benefit your companies. My office will provide you with all necessary information on this project.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Before summer, the French Consulate in Atlanta will be located in new premises in Buckhead, together with the Mission économique-Ubifrance, the French American Chamber of Commerce and Atlanta-Accueil. These new offices will also be made available to other French and French American organisations to receive visitors.

Our relations with the FACC are already very good and very substantial. I am looking forward to working even closer with you, Michele, your staff and the board of the French American Chamber of Commerce under a common roof.
I wish you a very good evening.

Thank you very much.