The first economic mission between Andorra and the French region of Midi-Pyrénées was held today in Toulouse. The event was organized jointly by the Government of Andorra, Actua, the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services of Andorra, the Midi-Pyrénées region and Madeeli (French development agency) with the aim to raise awareness to all French economic agents on the process of Andorran economic opening and the promotion of the process of internationalization of Andorran companies.
The Andorran delegation included the Head of the Government, Antoni Martí, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gilbert Saboya, the Minister of Trade and Tourism, Francesc Camp, the Secretary of State for Economic Diversification, Josep Maria Missé, the Secretary of State for Tourism and Trade Neus Soriano, the Ambassador of France to Andorra, Cristina Rodriguez and the director of ADI, Imma Jiménez. Pilar Escaler, Director of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services also attended, as well as the leaders of innovation and health and wellness clusters from the Actua program. The delegation also included the participation of 22 Andorran companies from sectors such as health, new technologies, food, services and environment.
In the opening speech, Minister Gilbert Saboya highlighted the historical relations between the two regions and the reforms undertaken from Andorra on the last few years, along with the entry into force of the double tax Convention between France and Andorra last July 1st. Those reforms should allow the establishment of new ties in the economic and trade relations between Andorra and Midi-Pyrénées.
The Head of the Government made the closing ceremony together with the President of the region, Martin Malvy. In his speech, Martí stressed the desire of the Government of Andorra to renew shortly, this encounter between France and the Principality of Andorra.
Marti showed the Andorran compromise with the reform process initiated during the last legislature and claimed this is the way to continue. He said Andorra wants to promote a balancing of French imports into Andorra. The Government of Andorra pointed out the importance of creating paths between Midi-Pyrénées and Andorran companies to continue strengthening the economy of the Principality. During his speech, the Head of the Government also mentioned the importance of the French education system, and referred specifically to the city of Toulouse in order to create a cooperation framework in the field of Universities. In this regard, both delegations have pledged to work intensively in the coming months.
The conference enabled to present the process of economic opening undertaken in the recent years, as well as the development of the new technologies and health sectors in both territories. Also, meetings and thematic tables were scheduled to facilitate interactions between Andorran companies and industry experts and French representatives. These meetings supposed a first contact between Midi-Pyrénées and Andorran companies for better understanding the economic system of Midi-Pyrénées and consolidating strategies upon future actions carried out in the region.
Finally, the Minister Saboya and the Ambassador Rodriguez took profit of their stay in Toulouse to mmet the Prefect of the Region, Mr. Pascal Mailhos. They both agreed to strengthening links between the French Republic and Andorra on issues such as commercial imports.
