France looking forward to shooting films in Bengal: Envoy

France was looking forward to shooting French films in West Bengal and taking up potential business projects including tourism with the eastern state, its envoy said here Tuesday.

French Ambassador to India Francois Richier, who held a "fruitful" meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during the day, exuded confidence on more cultural exchanges between his country and the state.

"Today I had a very fruitful meeting with the chief minister where we discussed a host of issues but culture and ways and means to promote cultural exchanges between Bengal and France, dominated the talks," Richier said after inaugurating the new office of Alliance Francaise du Bengale here.

On a three day visit to the city that began Monday, Richier said he was hopeful of developing joint ventures in various fields including tourism and cinema.

"We have heard about the chief minister inviting foreign movie makers to shoot their films in Bengal. Although we didn't have talk on that, we are looking forward towards shooing French films in Bengal since Bengal is world famous for its films," he said.

"We also discussed about potential business projects including tourism. Tomorrow we will be meeting with business community from here so we hope to clinch new deals," said Richier who also met state Finance and Industry Minister Amit Mitra during the day.

Talking about his Wednesday meeting with state Bharatiya Janata Party president Rahul Sinha, he said: "Since BJP is in power in Delhi so it's reasonable to meet their leaders here".

Inaugurating the new office, Richier said the Alliance Francaise du Bengale will continue to be instrumental in enhancing cultural ties between France and Bengal.

He also read out a congratulatory letter by Banerjee for the new office and asked it to be archived at the Alliance office.

The ambassador also conferred insignia of Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) on Kanchana Mukhopadhyay, Naveen Kishore and Chinmoy Guha for their service to art and literature.

"People often ask about the secret of Indo-French ties. The secret is the romance between the people of the two countries and their desire to connect with each other. People of Bengal have the desire to associate with AFrance and France is always eager to reach to India and it's amazing people," he added.