On Wednesday, January 13th, the French-American Chamber of Commerce organized a reception to celebrate 2010.
 

Speech given by the Consul General, Philippe Lalliot:


 

Philippe Lalliot, Martin Bischoff, Stephen Dreyfuss

 

 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,

Like all of you here tonight, I recall with affectionate memory Serge Bellanger, who for three decades worked relentlessly to make the French-American Chamber of Commerce what it is today.

Even if I have only been in New York for a few months, I had the luck to meet Serge several times. I will remember a generous man, a man of great leadership, a man who contributed greatly to the development of relations between France and the United States and who will remain one of the most respected figures of the Franco-American friendship.

Dear Friends,

The year 2009 was particularly difficult. In Europe as in the United States, the financial and economic crisis hit hard with its procession of business closings and lay offs. Not since the 1930s has the level of the economic activity been this low and unemployment this high.

The effects of this crisis will be lasting. However, some indicators show that our efforts are beginning to bear fruit and that we will finally exit this recession. To repeat the words of the President of the Republic during his New Year’s greetings last December 31st, “even if the ordeals are not finished, 2010 will be a year of renewal.”

If economic growth and confidence return, it will be thanks to the mobilisation of political authorities of both countries of course, but also that of all economic actors, beginning with businesses.

Dear Friends,

The role of the French-American Chamber of Commerce, a role which it applies itself to with ardor, is to stimulate this recovery in reinforcing the links and the exchanges between France and the United States. Because it is not one against another, but together that we will renew economic growth and prosperity.

All of the services of the French Government (I think of course of Ubifrance, Invest in France and Atout France but also the Consulate General) are at the disposition of businesses to help them and to accompany them.

In closing, I’d like to thank Martin Bischoff for having invited me tonight and beyond that for all that he does in favour of the Franco-American friendship.

To each of you here tonight, I wish you happiness and success and an excellent 2010. Bonne soirée à tous !