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FBC Committees Update
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Executive Committee >

May is the time of the year known as spring fever. Although I am not quite sure this is applicable under the humid warmth of this area, it will be indeed a busy period.
You may notice a change in the topics chosen and not feel concerned by some of them. Indeed, we are willing to target the real needs of our members and therefore the subjects treated are various - from banking and insurance to Dubai Railway project - because specific.
This led us to organize, for the first time, a working breakfast for a group of members only, namely our Construction Committee members. Other committees are following and be sure you will find yours.
We take this opportunity to draw your attention on our increased action towards French Chamber of Commerce.
We have welcomed CCI Limoges in April to complete the project of the establishment of a liaison office representing selected companies from Limousin region. This plan is ambitious and confirms the role of the French Business Council to encourage trade and exchanges between Dubai & Northern Emirates and France and specifically to support local companies in their conquest of international markets.

France Crespin-Van Duinen
Director

Agenda

Tuesday 4th		FBC Monthly Get Together. Your monthly rendez-vous at the Vintage Cheese and Wine bar at Wafi City from 6:30 to 9pm.
Sunday 9th		Lunch Conference. Mr. Marc Riegel from BNP Paribas will address us about "Islamic Banking". Venue : Ritz Carlton Hotel - Time : 12:30 pm
Tuesday 11th		Breakfast Conference "Construction Committee" with Mr. Michel Viallaneix from Systra. Venue : Fairmont Hotel - Time : 8:30 am
Tuesday 18th		Breakfast Conference with Mr. Raymond Letayf from Atradius who will address us on "Export & Domestic Crédit Insurance". This event is sponsored by Atradius. Venue : Fairmont Hotel - Time : 9 am
Tuesday 18th		Cocktail with the French Minister for Foreign Trade, Mr. François Loos. Venue and time to be confirmed.

Committees Update

CCI Committee

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From Saturday 24th April until Tuesday 27th we had the pleasure of welcoming a delegation from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Limoges in UAE.
On Sunday 25thApril, after two days of an intensive agenda, the President of the CCI Limoges, Mr. Bernard Gorse, invited his delegation together with his excellence Mr. Robert Jongeryck, French Consul General... Read more

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ARIANE Committee

Dubai: Promised Land or simple Mirage? Or both ?
The Ariane Committee has created an information sheet for those French adventurers willing to try their luck in Dubai. Not to discourage them but to present some real facts. We are putting this document at the disposal of our members who receive numerous inquiries from French citizens. Download document

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EVENTS Committee

The FBC Annual Gala diner has been a great success! 240 elegant guests gathered on 31st March for this prestigious event. The evening was attended by our guest of honor, Mr. Obaid Al Tayer, President from Dubai Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Jongerijk, General Consul of France and Mr. de Lajugie, Head of Economic Services for the Middle East. Read more

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CONSTRUCTION Committee

Our Construction Committee met for the first time on March 22nd. The meeting gathered a selected group of members, motivated to establish a link to exchange information and to promote together their expertise.
Under the patronage of his committee, and for its members only, we organize a working breakfast on 11th May where Mr. Viallaneix from Systra will come to share his experience of Dubai Light Rail Project.

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EMPLOYMENT Committee

Catherine Scoul-Leclerc is replacing Mrs Sylvie Foss at the Consular Section for Employment Opportunities (French Embassy in Abu Dhabi). Read more

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PUBLICATIONS Committee

The 18th issue of FBC Mag centered on “Tourism and Development” is on its way and should be available mid May! Special reports, highlights and news from members will make this issue even more enjoyable than previous publication. But that's not all folks, thanks to the Editorial team’s commitment the 19th issue is already in preparation. Read more

Last month activities

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AIG/ALICO Conference - 7th April

This event was sponsored by AIG/ALICO.

Shane Doyle (AIG Regional Manager Financial Lines Middle East, Mediterranean and South Asia) presented “Director & Officers cover” and how this policy provides indemnity to Directors and Officers for legal costs, damages and expenses arising from claims personally brought against them following wrongful acts. “Retirement Savings and Pensions", the second part of this lunch was presented by Mr. R. Khalek (General Manager ALICO-Gulf & A. Ogutu - Deputy Director GMD ALICO) who addressed us on the need for retirement savings, current trends in the Region and what to look for in setting up schemes that would provide a pension income after retirement.

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EDF/AREVA Lunch - 18th April

Patrick Jourdin, Resident Manager of EDF CIST Dubai, made a presentation on the Emirates National Grid Project. This more than 820 Millions AED project aims at linking together the today isolated electrical systems of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah and Northern Emirates. EDF is acting as Consultant of the Ministry of Electricity and Water, in charge of the studies, specifications, tender issuance, and works supervision. The Letters of Acceptance for the seven Lots of this project have just been sent to the selected Bidders, amongst them AREVA T&D has been selected to erect the 400kV/ 220kV/132kV new substation at DHAID.

Frederic Salon, Areva T&D Country Sales Director UAE and Thomas Epron, Areva Regional Marketing Manager presented us the implication of Areva T&D in this project.

This conference ended with a succulent lunch at the “Café Chic” where participants continued to exchange views and informations in a friendly atmosphere.

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Visit in Al Ain with Mr Chaffort
27th April

On 27th April Mrs Dumarty from the Islamic Institute in AL Ain organized a meeting between students and French or francophone business personalities.

Prof. Safty, Dean of UAE University welcomed the delegation including Mr Chaffort, Conseiller de Cooperation et d’Action Culturelle at the French Embassy, Mr Ray, Attaché de Cooperation pour le Français, Mr. Gatein Director of the Alliance Française in Abu Dhabi, Mr. D'Anna, Director of the Alliance Francaise in Dubai, Sultan Al Hajji, Human Resources Manager, TotalFinaElf, Mr. Hamzah, Branch Manager AXA, Mr. Al Masabi, President of Student Council Abu Dhabi College, Mrs Al Tajir Development Manager Carrefour and Mrs Crespin van Duinen, Director of the FBC.

The aim of this meeting was the promotion of the newly created French Department due to open in September. For the first time in UAE, students will be able to major in French.

The Business community represented explained the opportunities existing for local graduates speaking French and the expectations from their companies.

FBC Members News

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A French Business Case

Camel Caravan

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News from Asmak

Cédric Amani, Floral decorator

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Grand Hyatt

Le Café Chic

New Members Details

Breakfast Conference "Construction Committee" with Mr. Michel Viallaneix from Systra.

Breakfast Conference with Mr. Raymond Letayf from Atradius who will address us on "Export & Domestic Crédit Insurance".

This event is sponsored by Atradius. Venue : Fairmont Hotel - Time : 9 am

Cocktail with the French Minister for Foreign Trade, Mr. François Loos.

This event was sponsored by AIG/ALICO.

Frederic Salon, Areva T&D Country Sales Director UAE and Thomas Epron, Areva Regional Marketing Manager presented us the implication of Areva T&D in this project.

This conference ended with a succulent lunch at the “Café Chic” where participants continued to exchange views and informations in a friendly atmosphere.

On 27th April Mrs Dumarty from the Islamic Institute in AL Ain organized a meeting between students and French or francophone business personalities.

The aim of this meeting was the promotion of the newly created French Department due to open in September. For the first time in UAE, students will be able to major in French.

The Business community represented explained the opportunities existing for local graduates speaking French and the expectations from their companies.

This event is sponsored by Atradius.
Venue : Fairmont Hotel - Time : 9 am