UNITED STATES -- FRANCE DEFENSE INDUSTRY BUSINESS FORUM, TOULOUSE, FRANCE 6-8 DECEMBER 1999 The U.S. Embassy in Paris and the French Ministry of Defense have developed a seminar for both small and medium size defense firms (SMEs) and Prime Contractors in an effort to foster increased business ties between U.S. and French defense industry. The France-United States Defense Industry Business Forum will provide a unique opportunity to make important contacts with French defense firms and expand market share in the European defense market. France maintains the largest defense procurement budget in Europe and is home to the majority of aerospace firms with 33% of total production and it is second only to the U.S. aerospace sector. The Ministry of Defense has undertaken a major effort to reform procurement practices and increase privatization at both the prime contractor and supplier level. This reform initiative will provide a major opportunity for U.S. industry to establish business links and market presence in the heart of the European Union. The Defense Industry Business Forum will provide a rare opportunity for a broad array of French and U.S. firms to learn more about business opportunities in both countries created by acquisition reform, modernization of armed forces within Europe, and the globalization of defense industry. Forum participants will have the chance to discuss policies and procedures with high level officials from the French Ministry of Defense as well as the U.S. Departments of Defense, State, and Commerce. Conference attendees will gain critical insight from U.S. and French industry representatives that have entered into successful partnerships. In addition, representatives from U.S. and French industry will be on hand to share their experiences in creating transatlantic joint ventures and strategic alliances. The Defense Industry Business Forum will be a three-day event with the first day devoted to a discussion of transatlantic industrial cooperation by industry and government officials. The second day will consist of service specific round tables in the morning, and pre-arranged company-to-company meetings in the afternoon. The optional third day will include site visits of French firms and Ministry of Defense Installations selected by the U.S. participants. A sampling of the topics to be discussed includes the following areas (read both French and US presentations): DEFENSE COOPERATION LANDSCAPE : THE NEW ENVIRONMENT Jean-Yves HELMER, Director, DGA (French Armaments Acquisition Agency) Dr Jacques GANSLER, Under Secretary of Defense, Acquisition and Technology, Department of Defense DEFENSE PROCUREMENT PROCESSES : THE RELEVANT ISSUES DEFENSE R&D :HOW TO BID FOR AND WIN CONTRACTS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND EXPORT CONTROL POLICIES : TOWARDS A NEW THINKING THE ROLE OF POLITICS IN INDUSTRIAL PARTNERSHIPS CASE STUDIES IN FRANCE-US COOPERATION INDUSTRIAL STREAMLINING : THE OUTLOCK FOR SUPPLIERS DEFENSE SMEs : GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS AND PRIVATE SECTOR FINANCING OPTIONS AIR &SPACE, LAND AND MARITIME INDUSTRY ROUND TABLES ( THREE PARALLEL SESSIONS ) Session 1 : AIR &SPACE SYSTEMS WORKING GROUP Session 2 : LAND SYSTEMS WORKING GROUP Session 3 : MARITIME SYSTEMS WORKING GROUP ONE-ON-ONE BUSINESS TO BUSINESS MEETINGS INDUSTRY SITE VISITS TO LOCATIONS OF YOUR CHOICE (E.G., Toulouse, Bordeaux, Toulon, Bourges, etc.,) If your firm is interested in additional information, access the official Web-site (starting 14 Aug) at: www.lesechos.fr or please contact the following organizations: In the United States: Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) Ms. Lexalynn Hooper Coordinator International Programs Phone: 703-841-4300 Fax: 703-243-2598 e-mail: lhooper@ausa.org In Europe: U.S. Embassy-Paris: CDR Patrick Regis, USN Tel: (33) 1-4312-4729 e-mail: pregis@san.osd.mil Or web-site: www.amb-usa.fr Posted 08/09/99 (W-SN365324).

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