French investment agency opens office in Istanbul

The Invest in France Agency yesterday opened an office in Istanbul in a bid to promote opportunities in the country and boost economic relations with Turkey. The office was opened on the sidelines of the Turkish-French Business Forum, an event jointly organized by the Foreign Economic Relations Board's (DEİK) Turkey-France Business Council and UBIFRANCE, the French agency for international business development. Delivering a video message to the event, French Economy Minister Christine Lagarde said that her country places great importance on cooperation with Turkey. The number of French companies operating in Turkey rose from just 15 in 1985 to about 300 today, she said, adding that trade between the two countries fell only minimally due to the global economic crisis. Lagarde said that France is determined to boost its business relations with Turkey and added that the new office will multiply efforts to invite Turkish businessmen to invest in France.