Country 'ideal distribution centre for Europe'

The French investment agency, DATAR, is encouraging Hong Kong manufacturers and exporters to set-up shop in France so they can meet 'just-in-time' delivery deadlines in Europe.

Customers were increasingly demanding deliveries of products or parts within a day, Damien Vernier, DATAR's regional representative, said.

'The urgency especially applies within the IT and electrical sectors,' he said.

'Asian companies can meet these deadlines, but they must have a warehousing, distribution or manu facturing presence in Europe. Everybody needs to be in Europe these days if they are to deliver products to customers.' He said France was ideally located to serve Europe. 'Nowhere else is surrounded by seven countries. You can produce in the morning, ship products out in the afternoon and be assured they will reach anywhere in Europe by the following day.' Manufacturers from Hong Kong, as well as China and Taiwan, were already recognising the key advantages. SAR companies alone were employing around 3,000 workers in France, Mr Vernier said.

Among the top names are Hutchison Telecom, which is now France's leading retailer of telecom services, and Jardine Motors, the top car distributor operating under the name of CICA.

China Resources has taken over the troubled watchmaker France Ebauches.