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February Edition 2024
Dear Members and Friends,
I hope you all had a nice month of February.
I would like to give a warm welcome François Landers who has just been appointed Managing Director at the French Chamber of Commerce in Britain and congratulate him for his nomination. We hope that the cooperation, we started two years ago with the UK France Business Forum, will continue to lead to a fruitful collaboration. We are looking forward to meeting with François at the next edition to be held on 11th and 12th March at the French Embassy in London.
Your Experts in France has launched a series of podcasts dedicated to British Companies looking to develop their business in France, tackling a number of significant subjects. You can watch these videos on the home page of the Franco-British Chamber’s website.
www.francobritishchamber.com
For those who have not already filled out the Chamber’s satisfaction survey, you can do so, here. This survey helps us to understand what kind of services you are expecting from the Chamber.
In March, we will celebrate “International Women’s Day”. For each day of the month, the Chamber will post a quote from one of our members explaining what it means to be a woman in business today. Please feel free to participate and send your quote along with a photo of yourself to communication@francobritishchamber.com.
We are looking forward to welcoming you at the New Members Events on 21st March.
Kindest regards,
Catherine LE YAOUANC
General Manager,
Franco-British Chamber
WHY IMPLEMENTING A COMPLIANCE AND HR AUDIT OF YOUR FRENCH SUBSIDIARY?
Bringing your monthly podcast with hints and tips for setting up and running your business in France. This month's podcast is brought to you by Anne-Hélène Scouarnec-Hurault from HR Expert and Etienne Pujol from BERRYLAW.
THE INAUGURATION OF
THE WORLD TRADE CENTER PARIS
On Tuesday 13th February, an exceptional evening was organised to celebrate the opening of The World Trade Center Paris. The new building is part of an international network of nearly 320 World Trade Centers. Spanning across 90 countries, with over 750,000 members, this is truely an 'international ecosystem' of global connections.
STRONG TRADE IN SERVICES BOOSTS
UK EXPORTS
Responding to the latest trade data from the ONS, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The UK had another good year for services exports in 2023, showing the strength of that side of our economy. But there will be concern about the drop in goods exports."
Source: British Chambers of Commerce
CHANCELLOR MUST OUTLINE SUSTAINABLE GROWTH PLAN
The British Chambers of Commerce is calling for the Chancellor to use next month’s Budget to work in partnership with business to develop a sustainable growth plan. Among the recommendations in the BCC’s Budget submission are:
- Government to match industry-led funding of £3m for planning qualifications to help plug the lack of local resource.
- Ministers should commit to fund business led Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) beyond the current 2025 cut off point to at least 2028.
- The VAT registration review should be restarted with a view to removing the existing cliff edge.
- Government should reform business rates to make it a tax that incentivises growth.
- The Chancellor should introduce a new internationally competitive tax-free shopping scheme.
TOUGHER IMMIGRATION CONDITIONS
IN THE UK: KEY DATES TO REMEMBER
The matter was raised in December. Judging the number of migrants in the UK to be too high [...] the British government intended to introduce a series of measures in 2024 to drastically reduce their numbers. By 300,000 to be exact. It remained to be seen when these measures would come into force... This was recently clarified, with the measures scheduled to come into force in the next few weeks.
EMPOWERING LOCAL ECONOMIES:
A KEY TO UK PROSPERITY
The British Chambers of Commerce new Local Economy Of The Future report sets out 16 policies that could transform the UK’s growth potential by empowering businesses, communities and local government.
Source: British Chambers of Commerce
EXCLUSIVE EVENINGS WITH GÉRARD ARAUD
On Wednesday 31st January, Gérard Araud, Ambassador of France, former Ambassador of France to the United States and to Israel, and former Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations Security Council, was our special guest at the President's Forum - Exclusive Evenings held at the Automobile Club de France.
*Exclusive President's Forum Event
JOINT ACTION PLAN RENEWED
AT THE BRITISH EMBASSY
On Tuesday 6th February, Dame Menna Rawlings, His Majesty’s Ambassador to France and Françoise Rausch, President of the Franco-British Chamber signed a new joint action plan. Together, DBT France and the Chamber will c ontinueto foster business ties and increase cross-channel trade and investment.
*Exclusive President's Forum Event
SECONDMENT: COMPLIANCE IN MANAGING THE MOBILITY OF EMPLOYEES SECONDED
TO FRANCE AND THE UK
Join us for our upcoming webinar with
Clarisse DELAITRE, Lawyer, Majorelle Avocats
On Tuesday 5th March 2024,
from 9am to 10am (Paris time)
Digital event
UK-FRANCE BUSINESS FORUM
Co-chaired with the French Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain and sponsored by the Embassies of our two nations, the UK-France Business Forum serves as the voice of businesses to our two governments.
On Monday 11th and Tuesday 12th March, the UK-France Business Forum will be at the Residence of the French Ambassador to the UK in London, for two days of conferences on Mobility, Clean Growth, New Techs & AI.
*President's Forum Exclusive Event - By invitation only
THE PARIS BUSINESS LUNCH
L'ENTENTE, LE BRITISH BRASSERIE
Save the date
on Wednesday 13th March 2024,
at L'Entente, The British Brasserie,
13 Rue Monsigny, 75002 Paris
NEW MEMBERS EVENT
Join us at our next New Members Event
to meet and share with our new members
on Thursday 21st March 2024
from 6.30 to 8.30pm
at the Franco-British Chamber
22 rue de Londres 75009 Paris
*Reserved for Member's only
THE CROSS-CHANNEL INSTITUTE
MORNING TALKS
On Thursday 28th March, the Cross-Channel Institute will welcome Shevaun Haviland, CEO, British Chamber of Commerce for an overview of The Future Economy & the Franco-British Trade relationship.
AD & RANGE ROVER AWARDS,
(RE)INVENTING DESIGN
Following the success of the first two editions in 2022 and 2023, Range Rover and AD magazine are renewing their partnership through the AD & Range Rover Awards (re)inventing design: an opportunity to continue transmitting their shared passion for design expressed through innovation, expertise, elegance, endless reinvention and creativity.
AGILITE STRENTHENS ITS ESG COMMITMENT WITH B CORP™ CERTIFICATION
Agilité, a leading European construction company, has become one of 18 companies in the contracting and building sector to achieve B Corp status. Based on the vision of creating a community of for-profit companies committed to reinventing business success, the certification reinforces Agilité's commitment to being a leading player in sustainable development.
COLD WEATHER BEDDING
Supremely soft and warm, our bedding collection embodies the signature comfort of our bespoke beds. Made in Europe using only the finest, natural fibres the range includes our best-selling Hungarian Down, favoured for its supreme moisture-wicking properties, and the Organic Hemp duvet, crafted from plant-based materials.
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Franco-British Chamber of Commerce & Industry
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If you wish to get in touch with us please email us at communication@francobritishchamber.com
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