Ambassador-designate Thierry Mathou undertakes first trip to Chennai

The Ambassador-designate of France to India, Mr?Thierry Mathou will pay his first visit to Chennai from 6th to 8th October 2023 to foster greater economic and people-to-people ties between France and the vibrant state of Tamil Nadu.

Chennai, 6-8 October 2023

Ambassador-designate Mathou will seek to further boost business ties between France and Tamil Nadu, in a context where many French companies have brought their know-how and established state-of-the-art manufacturing and R&D facilities in the State. Mr?Mathou will meet some of these French majors that drive economic ties between the southern state and France. He will meet the visiting Executive Committee members of Saint Gobain, a worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction with facilities in Chennai. This event will take place in the presence of Thiru Thangam Thenarasu, Hon’ble Minister of Finance, and Dr T.R.B. Rajaa, Hon’ble Minister of Industries, Investment Promotion and Commerce. Mr?Mathou will also tour the Technology and Business Centre of French multinational automobile manufacturer Renault Nissan, and experience the French technology used at AAG Centre for Aviation Training Private Limited.

On the educational and cultural front, Mr?Mathou will preside over the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the Alliance fran?aise of Madras in the presence of the Hon’ble Mayor of Chennai, Ms Priya Ranjan. He will visit the Indo-French school, Sishya, where he will be received by Principal Omana Thomas, and Chairman Salim Thomas, and interact with students.

In line with France’s goal for welcoming 20,000 Indian students by 2025 and 30 000 by 2030, Mr?Mathou will inaugurate the Chennai leg of the Choose France Tour in the presence of the Honourable Minister for Higher Education, Dr K. Ponmudy. The event will also witness the signing ceremony for 7 MoUs between French and Indian Institutions. The Choose France education fair enables Indian students to meet representatives of leading French institutes and universities to help them fulfil their higher education dreams in France.

In the course of this official trip, Mr?Mathou will also visit the National Institute of Ocean Technology, where France has recently seconded an expert in the framework of the Indo-French roadmap on blue economy and ocean governance adopted in 2022. In consonance with France and India’s joint commitment to protecting littorals and fighting against plastic pollution, Mr?Mathou will participate in the Pattinapakkam beach cleaning drive, an initiative of the French clean power company Group Legrand India.