Major French firms explore CentrAm opportunities

(SAN JOSÉ) - Representatives from a dozen major French companies concluded a four-day Central America visit on Thursday exploring opportunities under a budding trade and political pact between the region and the EU.

"Useful and profitable" meetings were held during the trip, split between Panama and Costa Rica, Philippe Delleur, head of the delegation organized by the French business association MEDEF, told AFP.

The delegation notably spoke with Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela.

"What we are targeting is to develop relationships and to concretely tackle a number of precise subjects," Delleur said, citing market access, product certification and the respect of industry norms.

The delegation included representatives from rail transport group Alstom, of which Delleur is a vice-president and chairman, bank BNP Paribas, and advertising and public bicycle rental company JCDecaux.

Delleur said "it wasn't hard" to get French companies to make the trip given the prospects opened by a 2012 Association Agreement between the EU and Central America that promises to boost trade, political links and cooperation.