WORKING in partnership with several of the major businesses in Southampton, the French Desk of the Southampton and Fareham Chamber of Commerce and Industry has organised an international business seminar in Southampton for the Rouen International Business School, one of the top French business schools.

The second seminar organised by the French Desk in Southampton in less than eight weeks, the seminar was organised in co-operation with local companies such as Associated British Ports, British American Tobacco, Southampton Container Terminal and Ford.

It included visits to the companies, and students were given lectures by managers of the companies on a wide range of international business topics that included international supply chains, port operations, manufacturing, and container distribution.

It also joined forces with Southampton City Council for a reception hosted by Councillor Christine Kelly, the Mayor of Southampton. On this occasion, many students expressed how impressed they had been by the organisation of the seminar by the French Desk and the sense of warm welcome they had felt while visiting Southampton companies.

Alexandre Hamelin, head of the French Desk, said: "We are delighted that this international business seminar went so well and were very pleased by the support we have received from Associated British Ports, Southampton Container Terminals, British American Tobacco, Ford and the Southampton City Council. We are keen to explore any avenue to organise other seminars in Southampton in the future."

Founded in March 1999 by the Southampton & Fareham Chamber of Commerce and Industry in partnership with the Southampton City Council and the Franco-British Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the French Desk helps French and UK companies to develop in the other country. Services include market research, partners search, organisation of seminars and inward trade missions, and management of cross-border business development projects. Made up of a team of four French professionals, the French Desk is the only structure of this type in the UK.