Message from Former Senior Vice President Lahore Chamber of Commerce

I would like to congratulate France and all our French friends, residing in Pakistan, on their National Day. France is the cradle of democracy and human rights in the world. The fall of Bastille on 14th July marked the commencement of a new era in the world.
Pakistan is the second most important market in South Asia for the French enterprises. Pakistan has a market of 160 million consumers whose purchasing power has grown stronger mainly due to a sustained economic growth. It is a matter of satisfaction to note that French companies and businessmen are continuing to take keen interest in the trade and investment opportunities currently being offered by Pakistan.
Pakistan is a country with great opportunities especially in the fields in which France specialises eg Water, sanitation, transport, and telecommunications. Pakistan can greatly benefit from France in these fields through joint ventures. We must find ways to enhance co-operation between the two countries which will help their economies eventually.
France is one of the world's major economic powers. Agriculture plays a larger role than in the economies of most other industrial countries. A large proportion of the value of total agricultural output derives from livestock (especially cattle, hogs, poultry, and sheep). The mountain areas and NW France are the livestock regions. The country's leading crops are wheat, sugar beets, corn, barley, and potatoes, with the most intensive cultivation N of the Loire; the soil in the Central Massif is less fertile.
Fruit growing is important in the south. France is among the foremost producers of wine in the world. The best-known vineyards are in Burgundy, Champagne, the Rhone and Loire valleys, and the Bordeaux region. The centers of the wine trade are Bordeaux, Reims, Epernay, Dijon, and Cognac.
France's leading industries produce machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metals, aircraft, electronics equipment, and foods (especially cheese). Advanced technology industries are growing as well. Tourism is an important industry, and Paris if famous for its luxury goods. In addition to the Paris area, important industrial cities are, in the north-east, Metz, Strasbourg, Roubaix, and Lille; in the south-east, Lyons, Saint-Etienne, clermont-Ferrand. and Grenoble; in the south, Marseilles, Toulouse, Nice, and Nimes; and in the west, Bordeaux and Nantes. Other important cities are Oreleans, Tours, Troyes, and Arles.
More than half of France's trade is with other European Union members. Japan, the United States, and China are also important trading partners. Leading exports are machinery and transportation equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, agricultural products, iron and steel products, textiles, and clothing. Leading imports are crude oil, machinery and equipment, agricultural products, chemicals, and iron and steel products.
The government previously had majority ownership in many commercial banks, some key industries, and various utilities, including the telephone system. There has been recent movement toward privatisation, with the government reducing its holdings in many companies, although it still controls energy production, public transportation, and defence industries.