TN preferred destination for new ventures: French envoy

Tamil Nadu was a preferred destination for starting new ventures and establishment of French Consulate branch here would spur more business and economic activity, a French envoy said today.
This was stated by Consul General of France in Puducherry Catherine Suard when she called on Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit at the Raj Bhavan here.
A Raj Bhavan release quoted Suard, who assumed charge as the Consul General in July last, as saying that France and India shared close and friendly relations for centuries together.
"Trade, commerce, industry, education, science and technology have been the main areas in which both the countries share wide range of co-operation... several French Companies like Michelin, Renault-Nissan (and) Saint Gobain have set their units in Chennai," she said.

Following the establishment of the French Consulate branch in Chennai, there will be more business and economic activity, besides promotion of academic and cultural cooperation between the two countries, she was further quoted as saying.
"Tamil Nadu is a preferred destination for starting new ventures and the number of Frenchmen visiting Chennai has increased in the last five years," she added.

Ambassador of France to India Alexandre Ziegler had inaugurated the branch of French Consulate here on October 10.
Purohit said Tamil Nadu was known for its friendly industrial policies, rich culture, tradition, and had a conducive environment for new investments.

He was also quoted as saying that the state welcomed more and more French investors and that India and France were for further boosting ties in defence and security and in combating terrorism.
On the occasion, the Governor noted that the mission of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was to develop skilled manpower through Skill India, promote Make in India and startups.
"The joint exercise to counter terrorism, promoting industrial and technological partnerships under Make in India initiative will further strengthen the bilateral relations between both the countries," he was quoted as saying by the release.