'A Touch of France' - More exhibitors flock to business exposition By Donna Ortega, News Editor THE FRENCH Embassy in Kingston and the Alliance Francaise in Jamaica yesterday launched the annual cultural and business exposition dubbed 'A Touch of France', to be held from October 8-11. More sponsors and exhibitors have been added to the list of participants in the exposition which last year successfully brought together French and Jamaican businesses as well as their clientele and francophiles. French Ambassador, Pierre-Antoine Berniard, asked to comment on the likely impact, on business being promoted, of the attack on the US and that country's preparations for retaliation, said, "Everybody is anxious, but we continue to work as usual." He said that all countries were making their assessments now in the face of an event that had changed the course of many things. In the meantime it was necessary that work continue. Mr. Pierre Lemaire, president of the Alliance Francaise, suggested that it was a "time where people can come closer together." It was a time to draw closer together" in keeping with the goals of the exposition, he stressed. Ambassador Berniard explained that it was his goal to deepen the involvement of the French territories of Guadeloupe and Martinique within their environment. The Embassy's Trade Com-mission has been liaising with French companies in these countries and their Jamaican representatives. According to Mrs. Karlene Lemaire, assistant to the Trade Commissioner, "Represen-tatives from the Chamber of Commerce in Martinique and possibly Guadeloupe will be coming here for the exposition." Their products and services range from bottled water, pipe laying and micro tunnelling to telecoms and information technology. The Guadeloupe arm of EDF power company is among them also. A meeting of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) with their counterparts from Martinique has already been scheduled. "It's a wonderful opportunity for them to meet with people from the other islands," Mrs. Lemaire said. She noted that in order to expand the links, an agreement had been reached with the JCC and a French Working Group had been established in March of this year towards this end. Mr. Lemaire observed that the partnership with exhibitors and friends in business had been developing satisfactorily. "This partnership can only grow and expand for mutual benefit," he said. Non-traditional The Alliance president said that French luxury goods as well as services were well known in Jamaica and now it was the turn of non-traditional items to be introduced to the island. A Touch of France is this year also celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Alliance Francaise with a special ceremony. Dominique Jorand, director of the Alliance said that three past presidents Ambassador Probyn Marsh, Mr. Marvin Goodman and Mr. Anthony McFayden will be honoured. Internet links at the expo will allow visitors to the Alliance booth to talk with Alliance Francaise organisations around the world. Mr. Jourand said the Alliance which offers French lessons, drama and film festivals among other cultural events, is "a guarantee of friendship between Jamaica and France. It has lasted for half a century and I hope it will continue forever." Ambassador Berniard said the expo, "ought to give the Jamaican public a glance of what France including the French overseas territories of Guadeloupe and Martinique can offer in business opportunities, culture, education, music and cuisine." Cultural events and booths in the exhibition hall to be mounted at the Hilton Kingston will showcase French goods and services available in Jamaica. Forum 2001 on the second day of the exposition will focus on business opportunities between Jamaica Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana. French music, wine tasting, food and fashions will be highlighted. A Taste of France on October 9 a cooking demonstration by Mr. Yvonnick Jegat-Deniau, French chef at the Hilton Hotel will precede a book launch Les Merveilleuses Aventures d'Equiano by Jacques Veyssiere, organised by Ian Randle Publishers. A fashion show and cabaret will be held later that evening while on October 10 a concert follows, in the hotel's garden, with the Guadeloupean band Dissonance. The Art of the Americas Art Exposition which has been on display at the National Gallery since July 29 will officially close at the same time as the Touch of France Expo, with a Vin d'Honneur on October 11. The exhibition, which features works of art by several prominent French artists, will then go on to Martinique. Documentary videos on the music, culture, industry and sports of contemporary France will be shown and the francophone television channel TV5, Radio France International as well as Maison de la France, the official bureau for French tourism, will mount displays during the event. About 1200 students attended the expo last year and once again a special school programme for high school and university students from across the island will be featured to include a quiz competition as well as entertainment show by Kid Stuff. Forum 2001 on October 10 will be a Round Table discussion conducted by l'Universite des Antilles and de la Guyane and l'Institut Superieur des Etudes Francophones.
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