Promoting New Caledonia

as an ideal destination

With a per capita GDP much higher than the

neighbouring Pacific

Islands, New

Caledonia being under European

influence is different from the rest of the South Pacific.

Its high level of infrastructure together with the French touch, makes New Caledonia more modem and dynamite.

French affluence in business environ ment makes it the technical base for French companies in the South Pacific area.

Therefore, by being the South Pacific outpost for France, New Caledonia can draw on a wide range of technologically advanced skills and products. In addition to this, as a French Territory ,New

Caledonia is also associated with the European Union which means its exempt ed from customs duties on original export ed products to European Union member countries. Thanks to these advantages, New Caledonia is experiencing a significant expansion of the daily used services and technology. The reached level of quality in these areas will, from now on, allows firms and institutes in the territoiy to look abroad, indeed some already have refer ences in the Pacific region.

This has incited various companies to come together with the GEST (Group for the Exportation of Services and Technology in New Caledonia) which comprises 30 or so firms and organisations This group is active in sectors such as energy, public construction and works, research, engineering, finance, telecom

munications and various other services and technology.

This association is without doubt the preferred way of providing a response to the growing demand and expectations of countries in Aisa-Pacific zone.

One of the GEST’s assets is the excel lence of French technology thanks to the coordinated participation within its sub sidiaries of world famous French films and efficient Caledonian companies.

Different promotional campaigns will be organised beyond their borders, such as specialised expositions and conferences, in order to make the different partners and their services known to others.

One of the aims of ADECAL is to pro mote New Caledonia as a very good desti nation for investors by facilitating their

implementation. ■