Indo-Pacific – Olivier Becht’s visit to Australia, Indonesia and Singapore (Sept. 18 - 27, 2022)

Olivier Becht, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, Economic Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, will be visiting three Indo-Pacific countries – Australia, Indonesia and Singapore – between September 18 and September 27.

The minister delegate’s visit is designed to strengthen the economic pillar of our Indo-Pacific strategy, as that region is vital to the global economy. Mr. Becht will meet with his counterparts and representatives of French businesses in those locations; he will commend existing investments and partnerships and will promote new ones. He will also emphasize France’s economic attractiveness to local businesses that might be interested in investing in France.

In Australia, the minister delegate’s visit will reflect our shared desire to rebuild a relationship based on trust that would encompass the economic sphere. France is the third-largest European investor in Australia, especially in the area of urban infrastructure. We also hope to strengthen our scientific and economic cooperation in the field of energy.

In Indonesia, France wants to support the economic recovery taking place in this country of more than 270 million inhabitants, and we are offering our expertise in the areas of sustainable energy, digital technology and urban development. The minister delegate will also attend the meeting of G20 trade ministers in Bali on September 21-23, where he will reaffirm France’s commitment to promoting free and fair trade based on the rules of the multilateral system.

In Singapore, the world’s second-largest port and fourth-largest destination for French foreign direct investment (FDI), Mr. Becht will discuss opportunities to diversify our supply chains, especially for critical metals.