India is a strategic country for France
The objectives for Ubifrance in India for 2013 is clear: to accompany a total of 350 new French SMEs to do business in India in all four main sectors, agro business, infra?structure transport industry, identification and technology and health and consumer goods sector, says Sophie Clavelier, Head of Infrastructure, Transport, Industry Department, French Trade Commission, Consulate General of France, Bangalore. Excerpts from the interview.

Could you brief us on Ubifrance, its objectives and its India-specific strategies?
Ubifrance is the French agency for international business development, a key public partner in export for French companies. Its complete range of services include providing information (on markets, legal, regulatory, international financing, calls to tender, sector watch), export consulting, sales actions (prospecting missions, partnership meetings, trade events abroad, communication in the international press, etc). To support French companies of all sizes and all sectors in their development in foreign markets, Ubifrance mobilises the expertise of 1,500 persons in France (Paris and Marseille) and in 60 other countries through its French Trade Commissions and a network of press services.

The objectives for Ubifrance in India for 2013 are to accompany a total of 350 new French SMEs to do business in India in all four main sectors: agro business, infrastructure transport industry, identification and technology and health and consumer goods sector. India is definitely a strategic country for France.

What were sale trends in the global markets, especially for Ubifrance?s member companies?
Ubifrance has accompanied almost 400 companies in 2012 and about the same in 2011 to the Indian market across all sectors.

How have Ubifrance and its member companies responded to regional growth opportunities?
Ubifrance caters to the needs of the French SMEs with highly specialised professionals, both Indian and French, offering customised assistance to them. The team comprises 45 people in four different locations in India: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru. This efficient set-up has definitely encouraged French SMEs to venture into the market with a specific agenda.

How do you assess the growth potential in India?
The growth potential in many sectors, especially in the area of infrastructure, transport, technology and luxury goods, is very high.

What is your take on bC India as a business platform for Ubifrance's member companies?
This is the second time Ubifrance has brought a delegation to bC India. The feedback from the last edition was excellent, therefore we decided to sign up a second time.

What is the total number of member companies participating in bC India?
We will have a delegation of five companies in the 2013 edition: however, three French companies are exhibiting on their own as they have already launched their activities in India or are already selling equipment to India; They are the Fayaat Group, Nicolas Industries SAS and Outinord Saint-Amand.

Member Companies

  • ADLER Technologies pecialises in the engineering for turnkey plants and lines for concrete building materials and offers a full range of single or double-line, block-making machines, handling equipment, batching plants, moulds which are reliable, simple, ergonomic and easy to maintain, and meet all production requirements. Website: www.adler-tech.com
  • Ariadis is a company specialising in providing software to convert construction drawings into detailing for rebar factory management. Easy to use, Ariadis provides efficient and effective tools. Website: www.ariadis.fr
  • Emulbitume specialises in the design, manufacture and commissioning of bitumen emulsion production units and macerator pumps. Website: www.emulbitume.com
  • Ressorts Masselin is an international spring manufacture which provides a wide range of spring solutions designed to customer standards. They offer solutions based on hot or cold coiling technology. Website: www.masselin.com
  • Skako Concrete manufactures concrete batching equipment and offers complete production solutions that reduce the cost of producing high-quality concrete for ready-mix and precast applications. Skako has its own Commander Control system and is also specialised in Conflex concrete flying buckets. Website: www.skako.com