GERARD H. BLANCHOT, WHO HAS HAD EXTENSIVE INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE IN A VARIETY OF POSTS WITH THE MINISTRY OF ECONOMY AND FINANCE IN EUROPE, AND NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA, IS THE NEW CONSUL GENERAL OF FRANCE AND SENIOR TRADE COMMISSIONER FOR ATLANTA IN THE SOUTHEAST.
BESIDES CONDUCTING TRADITIONAL ACTIVITIES OF SERVING THE 6,000 FRENCH RESIDENTS IN THE REGION AND PROMOTING BUSINESS AND CULTURAL GOODWILL, HE SAID THAT HE ALSO WILL FOCUS ON DEVELOPING COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN FRENCH AND REGIONAL UNIVERSITIES, AND THAT HE WILL MAKE PRELIMINARY ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FRENCH DELEGATION TO THE 1996 OLYMPICS.
INCLUDED IN HIS PLANS ARE THE INTRODUCTION OF RADIO AND TV BROADCASTS OF FRENCH PROGRAMS, WHICH ALREADY ARE AVAILABLE IN NEW YORK WHERE HE WAS THE SENIOR TRADE COMMISSIONER BETWEEN 1988-1991. HE ALSO WOULD LIKE TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FRENCH-SPEAKING GRADUATE STUDENTS TO TAKE SECOND-YEAR COURSES AT FRANCE’S GRAND ECOLES IN BUSINESS AND OTHER TECHNICAL SUBJECTS.
HE SAID THAT THE SOUTHEAST CONTINUES TO BE OF INTEREST TO FRENCH COMPANIES WHICH ARE ATTRACTED BY THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS, AVAILABILITY OF AFFORDABLE REAL ESTATE, LOWER LABOR COSTS, AND SOUTHERN LIFESTYLE. HE ALSO SAID THAT HE IS COUNTING ON A RENAISSANCE OF FRENCH INVESTMENT IN THE U.S. OF THE SORT EXPERIENCED IN 1990 AND 1991 WHEN FRANCE’S LARGEST COMPANIES WERE MAJOR INVESTORS IN THE U.S.
MR. BLANCHOT HAS SERVED AS COMMERCIAL ATTACHÖ IN BAGHDAD, LAGOS AND CZECHOSLOVAKIA BETWEEN 1965-1974. HE WAS FRENCH TRADE COMMISSIONER IN ACCRA, FRANKFURT AND SAO PAULO BETWEEN 1976-1988. HE MOST RECENTLY SERVED IN FRANCE AS INSPECTOR OF COMMERCIAL SERVICES IN FRANCE UNTIL HIS APPOINTMENT TO HIS NEW POSITION IN JUNE.
THE FRENCH-AMERICA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS SPONSORING A RECEPTION ON THURSDAY, SEPT. 23 TO WELCOME MR. BLANCHOT WHICH WILL BE HOSTED BY THE ATLANTA FIRM OF SUTHERLAND, ASBILL & BRENNAN AT 999 PEACHTREE ST., FROM 6-8 P.M. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL FACC AT (404) 874-2602, OR FAX (404) 875-9452.