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Executive Committee >

Dear Members and friends,

Our Annual General Assembly will take place on 19th October 2005, at the Jumeira Beach Hotel and we are looking forward to meeting all our members to present the actions undertaken this year and the challenges upcoming in the next period. The French Business Council does not belong to the board, it belongs to the members. The duties of the executive committee are to enhance opportunities and contribute to the development of bilateral relationship between the United Arab Emirates and France. The set up of a new committee dedicated to entrepreneurs planning to set up their business in the UAE and the increased partnership with French Chambers of Commerce & Industries from France is following the path towards the constant improvement of targeted services.
Today, the sustainability of the organization is allowing the change of gear to grow faster and higher for the benefit of all members and we are eager to present you our projects for the coming period.
This important reunion will be followed by a diner and the FBC will be honored to welcome H.E. Mr. Patrice Paoli, Ambassador of France in UAE.

At the time to submit our past actions before you we are looking forward to renew our commitment towards our business community and our members.

Finally as the holy month of Ramadan has started, let me wish you Ramadan Kareem!

France Crespin-Van Duinen,Director

Agenda

Sunday 16th October		NEW FORMULA ! NEW FORMULA ! NEW FORMULA !
Sunday 16th October		REGIONAL OUTLOOK: The Qatari opportunity for French Investors. This conference will be the first in a new series of conferences that the FBC wishes to organise to assist its members with their regional development. A seminar on forthcoming developments in a selected neighbouring country will take place every other month, to keep you updated with potential key changes and business opportunities. This month: Seminar No1: Qatar After an introduction by Mr De Lajugie, Head of the economic services for the Middle East, Mr Christian Ponsot, Chief of the Qatari economic services, will give a presentation on the business opportunities offered to French Investors in Qatar. Venue: The Fairmont Hotel, Dubai- 33rd Floor, Palm 6 Timings: 9am-10:30am Cost: members: AED 60 / Non-members: AED 90 Language: French
Wednesday 19th October		FBC GENERAL ASSEMBLY& DINNER WITH H.E PATRICE PAOLI, FRENCH AMBASSADOR TO THE UAE - The French Business Council has been growing steadily in the last couple of years, and this year’s steady membership growth (268 members today) as well as the full event calendar and new ventures is proof of our business community’s dynamism. More Info Venue: Conference Centre, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai Timings: 5:45 pm- Dinner 8:30pm Cost for dinner: AED 160 per person- members and spouses only
Wednesday 26th October		AL NABOODAH SOHOUR Dinner Reception - The Saeed and Mohamed Al Naboodah Group has generously offered to sponsor a SOHOUR Dinner for the members of the FBC and friends to celebrate the Holy month of Ramadan. (Further details on the evenings’ programme will be sent to you shortly.) Venue: To be confirmed Timings: 8pm

Upcoming events dates for your calendar...
Tuesday 1st November	FBC Get together, Blue Bar
Sunday 4th December	CONFERENCE LUNCHEON With Mr De Lajugie- Head of Economic Services for the Middle East Venue: the Fairmont Hotel, Dubai Auditorium, 33rd Floor

*Advertising Opportunities* Prepare ahead and enjoy early booking offers.
COMING UP: FBC DIRECTORY 2006	You can already book your favourite page in the new Directory in order to promote your company. Avoid any disappointment by placing your order today. Please e-mail us to receive the booking form mc.amestoy@fbcdubai.co
FBC MAG - December issue on IT Ad + FREE EDITORIAL on your company	If you would like to advertise in the December issue of FBC Mag on IT, please book your space now to avoid any disappointment. You will be given a Free Editorial with your ad. Complete the booking form enclosed and fax it back to MCA at FBC: 04 335 2120 or call Marie-Christine Amestoy at 04 335 2362 or 050 552 5766. Booking
FBC NEWS Advertising Banner	Sold for the whole year. The exclusive advertising opportunity in FBC News is for FBC members only. Through the ad banner, your company benefits from a double exposure, as FBC News is sent to members and associates, and posted on our website too.
Events Sponsorship	There will be several opportunities in the coming months for your company to fully sponsor or co-sponsor an event (luncheon, evening conference…). Please confirm your interest by e-mail to : mc.amestoy@fbcdubai.com or call 050 552 5766 to receive details of the sponsorship opportunities (first one in September).
>>> REMINDER!! - free press releases in FBC publications >>> If you would like to promote your products or services, or communicate on any changes/ updates/events within your company, just send an e-mail to mc.amestoy@fbcdubai.com with your write up/press release and a picture/logo. Your article will be included in the next FBC New, and/or the magazine FBC Mag. (subjet to publication’s committee’s approval).

>>> FBC Special News | Local News | FBC Members News >>>

Committees Update

FBC EMPLOYMENT

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This month in our Employment Service : 32 job offers and 77 new applications.
Should you require any further information, please contact

Soizic HOURDIN
Mission Consulaire pour l’Emploi et la Formation Professionnelle
+971 4 337 25 90 or soizic.hourdin@fbcdubai.com
Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 8.00 AM to 1.00 PM

PUBLICATIONS

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Editorial Calendar
No 21- Large Projects
Publishing date: October 2005

No 22-Special IT
Publishing date: End of year 2005
Booking deadline: 31st October 2005

Looking for active members for the FBC committees…

The FBC is seeking new faces to get involved in the development of its committees.

These committees are monitored by the FBC’s permanent team but led by active members.

FBC Publications
Didier Boussemart, after 3 years of truly effective work is willing to hand over his leading role to someone else.
Moreover, we are looking for people willing to involve themselves in the process of making the magazine (topics selection, interviews, articles collection and correction).

FBC Ariane

Under the highly efficient leadership of Christine Fay and Laurent Marie, Ariane aims to help small and medium sized companies in a practical way.

After 3 years of involvement, Christine and Laurent are not available as they used to be and are willing to hand this committee over to someone else.

Should you have any question, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Last month activities

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BACKTO BIZ - 12th September 2005

The back to business networking event for all the business councils of Dubai and the Northern Emirates took place on Tuesday 12th September 2005 in the superb setting of a newly luxurious opened hotel, The Grosvenor House Hotel. This year's event was organised by the Britsih Business Group and attracted over 4oo participants from 22 different Business Groups. The French Business Council was well represented with 25 active members who thoroughly enjoyed the Networking opportunity in the refined, yet relaxed atmosphere of the evening. A buffet of caviar,smoked salmon and fresh prawns, as well as an excellent selection of wine contributed to the evening's success.

In order to help fullfill the networking purpose of the evening and facilitate exchanges, the BBG had devised a crosswords game, for which every participant had to exchange letters with the others in order to complete the word networking, before dropping their coupon in an urn. A variety of prizes provided by the various business councils awaited the lucky winners. The French Business Council was happy to provide two beautiful prizes, thanks to the generosity of two of our active Executive Committee members: -Patrice Douce, Bateaux Dubai, gave away 2 dinner cruises on the Bateau Dubai. -Axel Berrier, from Sprecher Berrier &Partners FZCO, kindly offered a beautiful crystal Baccarat Edition of the perfume Cabaret, parfums Gres, Paris.

Our thanks go to the Bristih Business Group for organising such a successful and useful event!

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MARHABA COCKTAIL - 25th September 2005

We held our annual Cocktail party to welcome newcomers to the French business Community of Dubai and the Northern Emirates, at the upmarket LeNôtre Paris restaurant on Beach Road on 25th September 2005.
Over 100 guests attended an evening with French Flair, and were given the opportunity to meet with the major key players and officials of the Business Community in a relaxed atmosphere.

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MEDEF DELEGATION, MEED PRESENTATION - 26th Sept. 2005

delegation of French CEOs from the MEDEF (Mouvement des Entreprises pour la France-),on Monday 26th September 2005, at the SOFITEL Hotel (City Centre- 7pm).

A high profile delegation of French employers from the MEDEF INTERNATIONAL (mouvement des entreprises pour la France) visited the UAE on 25, 26, 27th September 2005. Their visit was organised in conjonction with the French Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the French Economic Department in Dubai. They were also be welcomed by the DTCM during their visit.
The French Business Council organised a “working” cocktail for the MEDEF delegation on Monday 26th September-7pm- at the SOFITEL Hotel (City Centre), and welcomed Edmund O’Sullivan, Editorial Director of MEED (Middle East Economic Digest), who gave a 45mn presentation on the gigantic developments and business opportunities in Dubai.

The 24 participants of the delegation were joined on the evening by members from the FBC, the Executive committee, H.E Robert Jongerick, General Consul of France and Mr De Lajugie, Head of economic services for the Middle East.

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SPECIAL GET TOGETHER - 5th October 2005

The special invitation by the Swiss business Council to join them at their first get together after the summer was met with much enthusiasm from the FBC side, as more than 50 FBC members chose to participate.
The evening was held at the recently opened Al Murooj Rotana Hotel and Suites, under the sponsorship of the evening’s guest speaker, Hoffman Laroche.
The presentation by the General Manager of Hoffman Laroche from Basel, highlighted the overwhelming problem of AIDS worldwide and the action of Hoffman Laroche as a pharmaceutical company in the fight against the disease.
The double networking opportunity was enjoyed by over 90 Swiss and French guests , and we would like to warmly thank our Swiss hosts for their generous invitation and congratulate them on the excellent organisation of the event.

>>> FBC Special News | Local News | FBC Members News >>>

FBC News

Chocolate Month at the FBC...
The last Executive committee’s meeting was a chocolaty one: A team from the Intercontinental hotel – Chakib Tahri,sales manager and Jean-Marc Gaucher, the new chef patissier from Nice – led by Alessandro Cresta, vice Director General, made a surprise visit to the FBC office during their Chocolate promotion’s month, and brought some of the best chocolate creations for the FBC members to sample.
We would advise you to go down there if you want to taste real chocolate

Emilor
The Lorraine liaison office for the gulf and middle east countries received this month:

Continue...

Membership 2005-2006, important Notice !
Please take the time to renew your membership. All you have to do is return the membership form that was sent to you, together with your payment, after checking that all information on the form is correct.
It is important that we get your renewal and payment by the 11th October at the latest in order to ensure your vote (or proxy) for the General Assembly on October 19th.

Updated membership fees
In accordance with the Executive Committee’s decision on 11th September 2005, the 2005-2006 prices will be reviewed to be in line with the inflation in the UAE. More Info...

Carte Privilèges - Get Involved
FBC members can enjoy special discounts while travelling in France with the Carte Privilege. We are in the process of adding local benefits.

If you think that your company would be interested in offering local special discounts, preferential terms or services to the FBC members, and/or potentially to a network of 25,000 companies who belong to the UCCIFE (Union of French Chambers of Commerce and Industry abroad), please contact Marie on 04 335 2362.

FBC Special News

Allez France -Axel Berrier-Dubai Desert Classic More Info...

Local News

Nizwa More Info...
Moroccan Exhibition More Info...
Iran International Industry & Trade Exhibition (INTEX 2006) More Info...
Middle East Executive - Duty Free, Travel Retail More Info...
Big 5 Exhibition More Info...

FBC Members News

This rubric is yours…
If you would like to promote your products or services, or communicate on any changes/ updates/events within your company, just send an e-mail to mc.amestoy@fbcdubai.com with your write up/press release and a picture/logo. Your article will be included in the next FBC News.

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