Mumbai: French team in India on a charm offensive

Paris Region president Valérie Pécresse is leading a French delegation to India. Pic/Sameer Markande

In India on a ‘charm offensive', Paris Region president Valerie Pecresse is leading a delegation to promote the Region to Indian decision-makers. Pecresse, who spoke to the press at a south Mumbai hotel on Monday evening, is accompanied on her five-day India visit by Alexandra Dublanche, Chairwoman of Choose Paris Region, the Paris Region attractiveness agency and others in the French delegation.

The numbers

Pecresse dubbed the visit a "charm offensive" to see that more Indians visit France. Pecresse said first, "The Franco-Indian relationship has significantly strengthened in recent years, and still our relationship is too small. We have a lesser number of Indian tourists compared to Australians, who number 5 lakh in a year and 1 million from China." She also stressed that the countries must work to increase Indian student numbers in France.

The change

The focus is to push France, and the Paris Region as an innovation hub of Europe. "France is perceived as full of luxury, gastronomy, fashion, and of culture and history. Though we have all that, technology, AI, research and development and the financial aspects are not known. This is our charm offensive to win the hearts and minds of Indians, on all fronts," said Pecresse.

Region after Brexit

The French delegation spokespersons added, "Paris Region is the economic and financial capital of Europe since Brexit. A study showed more than 2,800 bankers and financiers have relocated from London to Paris Region; in total, over 7,000 jobs have been created due to relocation of the banking sector since Brexit. The Paris Stock Exchange has now become the ‘largest market capitalisation in Europe.' The delegation planned to meet with Indian investors, R&D centres, tech start-ups and unicorns, as well as banks to discuss Paris's financial position and business opportunities. We have to change the perspective of Indians about Paris."

The films

Pecresse also stated they visited a Bollywood studio, met with female producers, directors, "We are a big region for filmmaking and we now offer tax credits for film shootings." Pecresse recounted some highlights from enlightening conversations with tour operators and travel agents. "We learnt that we need more vegetarian cuisine for Indians. We do have options now as vegetarianism is a growing trend in France. In fact, high schools in France are introducing something called the Veg Alternative."

Wedding views

Pecresse added that France is a great wedding venue, "That might be a bit controversial as your PM Narendra Modi has stressed India-based weddings over destination weddings," she said to some laughs and added, "Maybe he can make an exception for a country whose head he has invited for Republic Day."

The Olympics

When it is France and 2024, it must be the Olympics. The conversation touched upon the biggest event in a big year for France. The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris will also reopen this year after a 2019 fire necessitated shutting down for repairs and restoration. Pecresse said of the Summer Olympics in France, "Reliance Foundation is going to build the India House/Pavilion at the Olympics. This is a win-win situation, as this will be both a great window for Indian culture and Indians, too, will be able to see and experience Paris."

Cheery outlook

Taking other questions like language barriers, and acknowledging that people want to travel especially after the COVID-19-caused lockdown, the delegation and leaders ended on a cheery note. Though the numbers are not right up there yet, they are working to woo India in a turbo-charged-for-tourism year for their country.

July 26
Date Olympics begin in 2024