An 18-member delegation led by Mr. Francois Turcas, President of the CGPME (Confederation of Small and Medium Industries) of the Rhine-Alpes region in France will be visiting Sri Lanka from 9-15 February 2002. The visit has been organized by the Franco-Sri Lankan Business Council (FSLBC) with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in France and coordinated in Colombo by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI), SriLankan Airlines, Sri Lanka Tourist Board, the European Business Information Centre (EBIC) and the Trans Asia Hotel.

Subsequent to the agreement concluded between the CGPME and CCC during the former’s previous visit to the island in November 2000, this delegation, and those that will follow, seeks to increase commercial , tourism and cultural ties between both countries. The delegation will be staying at the Trans Asia Hotel where a two-day exhibition and one-to-one business meetings will be held on 11-12 February 2002.

The 12 French companies are engaged in the areas of transportation, machinery for plastic moulds, garments, ayurvedic products, industrial chemicals, household products, coir ropes, roofing insulation, car parts and protective clothing. A renowned architect specializing in the restoration of historic buildings is also joining the delegation.

Accompanying the delegation are 2 internationally acclaimed French chefs from Lyon who will be participating in the French gastronomic week that is being organized and held at the Trans Asia Hotel. This event is being incorporating Sri Lankan spices and food items in their dishes. The journalists accompanying the delegation will also report on the possibilities of using Sri Lanka as a gateway to South Asia.

The delegation visit will also be featured in a forthcoming "Bonsoir" television program.