Dear FACCI Members,

This month FACCI Queensland had the honour of welcoming His Excellency Stéphane Romatet, Ambassador of France to Australia, for a special briefing followed by an exclusive networking evening at Ernst and Young's offices. While in Brisbane, His Excellency also co-signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the French Government, the State of Queensland and the board of the newly established French Australian Brisbane School. This initiative, which FACCI Queensland has long supported, seeks to establish a French-Australian school in Brisbane.

For many of us, this was the last opportunity to meet H.E. Stéphane Romatet as he has since been recalled to Paris to serve the newly appointed French Prime Minister as Diplomatic Advisor. While it is a shame to have lost such an active ambassador, it will be great to have a friend of Australia in such an important position in France. Until a new ambassador is appointed, Cedric Prieto, First Counsellor, will oversee the French diplomatic mission.

April was a busy month with three events and we would like to thank Bernard Loez, Executive Manager for Thiess Construction, who featured as a guest-speaker at both our Patrons & Corporates and Young Porfessionals & Individuals events. Bernard has now moved to a new role with Thiess in France, but we look forward to seeing him again on one of his regular business trips to Brisbane.

We have the pleasure of welcoming Brisbane French Festival as a new Small Business Member to our Queensland Chapter this month, and thank a number of our existing members who also renewed their memberships during the month.

Finally, as announced last month, please note that our Annual Report 2013 is now available online.

We hope to see you all very soon.

Kind regards,

Brian Lorigan, President

ANNUAL REPORT 2013

This new document prensents the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry's 2013 activities, results and achievements. With a solid reputation as a dynamic networking platform the Chamber organised more than 100 functions, attended by a cumulated audience of more than 8,000 guests nationwide.

The increasing participation in events confirms the position of the Chamber and its network of 712 members as a key player and promoter of the French-Australian relationship. This relationship will be highlighted by numerous official and business visits during the year as part of the G20/B20, hosted in Australia.

The Business Development & Trade Services of the Chamber have also supported French companies to develop their commercial activities, to support with the establishment of their subsidiaries, and to assist them with the recruitment of staff via the employment website My Australian Job. The site’s traffic is increasing and currently sees 4,500 visits per month, and a number of new developments are expected to be implemented in the coming months.

The Chamber’s online presence remains strong and active via social media (more than 3,000 followers), a website and other publications including the France-Australie webzine which has been viewed over 8,000 times. The French-Australian Chamber is a team of 17 Board Members, 61 Councillors in 5 State Chapters, and 8 employees whose objective is to better reinforce the French-Australian bilateral relationship and to provide more visibility and benefits for its members.

Download FACCI Annual Report 2013 in PDF or Check it on ISSUU.

PAST EVENTS

The French-Australian Chamber of Commerce Queensland Chapter would like to thank His Excellency for his visit to Brisbane and excellent presentation on France's competitiveness and attractiveness.

This evening happened to be the last opportunity to meet His Excellency, as he has recently been appointed Diplomatic Advisor to the Prime Minister of France, Mr. Manuel Valls, and has immediately taken on his new role based in Paris. His successor will soon be designated, and Mr. Cédric Priéto, First Counsellor at the French Embassy, will undertake the functions of Chargé d’Affaires in the intervening period.

Mr. Stéphane Romatet should soon be back to Australia as part of the G20 meetings in which the President of the Republic of France, Mr. Francois Hollande will participate. It will coincide with the first offical visit of a French President in Australia.

We also would like to thank our partners for the evening, in particular our patron member, Ernst & Young, and its local representative Wade Hansen for hosting the event and welcoming us to their amazing premises. A special thank you to our sponsor, Single Vineyard Sellers, who provided us with beautiful French white, red and sparkling wines. Finally, thanks to all our members and guests for attending the event.

Click HERE to see the album of the evening.

Many thanks to Bernard Loez, Executive Manager Industrial Projects for Thiess Construction, for sharing his insight on Australia's multicularism and offering his time to the Chamber at the occasion of two separate events this month.

Understanding cultural differences whether it is between France and Australia, the West and the East, highly developped countries and more traditional nations, secular and religious societies etc. is certainly a key when it comes to successful negotiation and professional adaptation. Both our Young Professional & Individuals and Patrons & Corporates audiences have very much enjoyed Bernard's lively presentations.

Special thanks to our Corporate member Clayton Utz and its local representative Stuart MacGregor, for welcoming us to their premises and hosting our exclusive Boardroom Luncheon.

SAVE THE DATE

Settling permanently to Australia can be a daunting move, especially when it comes to dealing with the immigration administration.

Shannon Semenikow, Director of Migration & Education Services Australia (EMSA), is a professional with years of experience helping people applying for all sorts of visas (see Shannon's profile on LinkedIn HERE). Shannon's knowledge is up-to-date with the latest immigration regulations and this is your chance to get a guided tour in the jungle of visas!

WHV, 457, Spouse, Skilled, Student, De facto, Regional or Permanent Residence visas... There is indeed a solution for each situation.

Come and join us to share Shannon's experience on Wednesday 21 May from 5.30pm at the Exchange Hotel.

For all the details and booking click HERE.

Once again this year, FACCI QLD will be celebrating Bastille Day with you all. This year, our flagship event will be on the 11th of July 2014, so please save the date in your diaries.

Our Bastille Day Business Breakfast is renowned for its quality,  distinction and diversity, and of course, its French flair.

We are looking forward to welcoming you there again.

MEET OUR MEMBERS

Invited to spend 6 to 12 months with Groupe Sicame in France before joining NRJ-Sicame in Australia, Robert Battle did not hesitate to make the big move with his wife and children. Although remote Corrèze where Groupe Sicame was founded is not as glamourous as Paris, it did not prevent him from falling in love with France... As he did so six months soon turned into years. Promoted Director of Research and Developement, Robert finally decided after four years of exile that it was just time to relocate the family back home and joined NRJ-Sicame who eventually became Sicame Australia in 2002.

Read the full interview HERE.

Maria Ester Mazar and her husband Rodolfo took over the management of Unique France at the end of 2013, bringing their own touch and expertise to an already renowned French antiques and arts boutique. They are quite exited as they have just received their first shipment of the year and are looking forward to present their new selection, which includes a superb range of 18th century and 19th century commodes, secretaires, candelabras, mirrors, bedside tables, 'guéridons', tables, marble fireplaces, art and decoratives pieces from the Louis XV, Louis XVI and Napoleon III periods.

Read the full interview HERE.

QANTAS WALLABIES VS FRANCE

Les Bleus are coming to Australia in June!

This is your chance to see the international French Rugby team take on the Qantas Wallabies in The Castrol EDGE France Tour - right here in Brisbane on the 7th of June..

Don’t miss your chance to see the exciting and enigmatic Les Bleus take on the Qantas Wallabies, in the first tour to Australia by a French international Test side since 2009.

Tickets for The Castrol EDGE France Tour go on sale to the General Public on Tuesday 6 May via Ticketek in Brisbane. Special Corporate Packages are also available to which you can claim a 10% discount as a FACCI Member.

Click on the following links for all the details on the
Captain's Dining Package and Wallaby Lounge Package.

Download the form to claim your discount HERE.

VIDEO COMPETITION

The Embassy of France and the Government of New Caledonia in partnership with Campus France Australia present the 2014 University video competition.

The competition is open to all Australian and International students between 18 to 30 years of age currently enrolled in an Australian university.

Students are invited to submit short clips on what “Made in France” represents to them in a globalised world, based on the example of “Made in Australia”. Topics could include innovation, culture, modern design, emerging destinations, student-life, economy, technology, business etc. More broadly, students are invited to reflect on France’s areas of excellence in 2014.

Submit you entry before 7 July 2014, 5pm and win a return airfare to France or New Caledonia.

For more information: http://www.australie.campusfrance.org/en.

AWARDS

The Premier’s Cultural Diversity Awards 2014, formerly the Queensland Multicultural Awards, recognise and celebrate achievements that promote the development of strong culturally diverse communities in Queensland.

Each Queenslander can get involved by nominating a deserving individual, business or organisation in a wide range of categories, including business, media and community news, and education for these prestigious awards.

The 2014 Queensland Cultural Diversity Awards will be presented to the winners during Queensland Cultural Diversity Week 2014 which will be held from Saturday 30 August to Sunday 7 September 2014.

More information and resources will be available on www.datsima.qld.gov.au/culturaldiversity from Wednesday 7 May 2014.