The French Business Group in Abu Dhabi will host a forum on the rapidly growing telecommunications and multimedia sector later this month under the patronage of H.E. Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, UAE Minister of Economy, and the French Ambassador in the UAE, H.E. Patrice Paoli.
The 2nd Annual Advanced Technology Forum on Telecoms and Multimedia will be held in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Hilton Abu Dhabi on November 28-29.
UAE-based telecommunications providers Etisalat and du are the official co-sponsors of the event, which will bring together top French companies in the field of telecoms and IT and their counterparts in the UAE.
UBIFRANCE, the French agency for international business development, will also support the forum.
Addressing the press at the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce today, Mr. Jean Pierre Laurenti, Honorary President of the French Business Group and Executive Committee Member, said: “The telecoms industry is one of the fastest growing economic sectors in the UAE – and the development of the industry here has significant implications for the wider region. Now is the perfect time to allow both French and UAE companies working in the field to share perspectives on the way forward and to discuss new opportunities.”
He said: “The French Business Group is a private, non-profit organisation that seeks to strengthen economic ties between France and the UAE. We believe that the combination of French expertise and experience has a great deal to offer the growing prosperity of the UAE.”
The forum later this month is expected to receive 200 delegates from UAE and French companies, as well as government decision-makers and personalities from the wider UAE business community. The participating French companies, many of whom already serve the region, include Alcatel, Bull, EADS, Thales, Greenwich Consulting, Marais, and Viaccess.
Also attending today’s press gathering were Mohammed Omer Abdullah, Director General of the ADCCI; Mazen Hamadallah, Country Senior Officer of Alcatel; and David Rivard, Regional Director, Marais.
The forum’s keynote speaker is H.E Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori, Chairman of the UAE Supreme Committee for the Supervision of the Telecommunications Sector. du CEO Mr. Osman Sultan will also be a guest speaker.
The IT industry in France employs around 40,000 people and has an annual turnover of nearly 14.5 billion euros. The French telecommunications industry, meanwhile, employs more than 80,000 and generates turnover of more than 21 billion euros.
Mr. Laurenti added: “France offers the resources and advanced know-how to help the UAE and the Gulf realise the next stage of their telecoms and multimedia expansion.”
The French Business Group, a private, non-profit association, was created in Abu Dhabi in 1974 and was officially registered in 1996 by the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Abu Dhabi Municipality. It is affiliated to the French Chambers of Commerce Association (UCCIFE), which is present in more than 90 countries worldwide.
The FBG’s main objective is to promote French interests in Abu Dhabi through the exchange of information and by representing French businesses that have no presence in Abu Dhabi. Members of the FBG include both French and UAE companies. The French Business Group is run by a 12-member Board of Directors, and its President is Jean Pierre Giraud.
Alcatel
Alcatel provides communications solutions to telecommunication carriers, Internet service providers and enterprises for delivery of voice, data and video applications. Alcatel has a leading position in fixed and mobile broadband networks, applications and services. With sales of 13.1 billion euros and 58,000 employees in 2005, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries.
Marais Group
Marais Group is the European leader in the mechanical laying of networks. Marais Group builds its own equipment (70 machines) and rents it to operators, such as telecoms and contractors. These trenching machines are used for laying any kind of networks and are rented with their operator and mechanic.
Thales
Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group, serving defence, aerospace and security markets worldwide. The group's civil and military businesses develop in parallel to serve a single objective: the security of people, property and nations.
Leveraging a global network of more than 20,000 high-level researchers, Thales offers a capability unmatched in Europe to develop and deploy critical information systems. Thales employs 60,000 people in 50 countries and generated revenues of 10.3 billion euros in 2005.
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