France’s railways roll out web portal for business and innovation

April 7, 2014 - PRLog -- A new English-language web portal (www.French-rail-industry.com) has been launched to promote France’s railways. The launch of the portal, which went live on 21 March 2014, coincided with the signing of a partnership agreement between UBIFRANCE, the French export-support agency, and Fer de France, the Inter-professional Association for France’s railway industry.

The web portal, which has been launched (in English) and is accessible at www.French-rail-industry.com, aims to meet a twofold objective. In the first instance, it will help to raise awareness among industry professionals worldwide of the know-how prevalent in France’s railway sector — a widely acknowledged and greatly praised centre of excellence.

The website will promote the entire sector with sections devoted to the latest international company news. It will also list a number of exciting achievements by French-based companies outside France, as well as the year’s most important events. The events section will include information about international trade shows where France has a substantial presence, such as INNOTRANS, which will take place in Berlin (Germany) from 23 to 26 September 2014.

In the second instance, the website will help to establish connections between international buyers and French suppliers. The web portal will showcase French players in the railway sector, making it easy for potential customers based outside France to browse the profiles of any French company they choose and contact them directly through a messaging interface integrated into the website.

The French suppliers featured on the platform are broken down into eight main categories: embedded electronic systems; mechanical components fitted on rolling stock; passenger-information and ticketing systems; passenger public transport; rail-car layout; railway infrastructure; railway testing and engineering; and, finally, rolling stock.

Thanks to the expertise, technological skills and innovative ability of its companies, France’s railway industry enjoys international recognition: the country is ranked third worldwide in the sector. Within Europe, the French railway industry is ranked second only to Germany, with 1,500 companies generating over €4 billion, equating to 25% of the country’s exports in value.

About Fer de France

Founded in the wake of the 2012 consultation process (Assises du ferroviaire) centred on the French-railways sector, Fer de France is the French rail industry’s Inter-professional Association.

Fer de France brings together the chairpersons and CEOs of all the companies involved in the industry. Its role is twofold: to work on improving the nation’s railway system and performance, on the one hand, and to facilitate co-operation among French sector players so as to help them expand into export markets, on the other.

For further information, please go to: http://business.ubifrance.com/french-rail-industry

About UBIFRANCE

UBIFRANCE is the French export-support agency. As the partner of reference for French-based companies wishing to export, UBIFRANCE offers a complete range of services based on the provision of information on export markets, on legal issues and regulations, as well as on international finance and tenders, while also supplying sectorial data.

In addition, UBIFRANCE offers export advice and targeted support to companies’ commercial activities, such as exploratory visits, partnership meetings, foreign exhibitions and international press communication.

Finally, UBIFRANCE runs the International Postgraduate Programme (VIE) for employing qualified personnel and young graduates outside France.

For more information about the French Trade Commission UBIFRANCE in the UK, please go to: www.ubifrance.com/uk/

For further information, please contact :

Quote ref. : FTPB3929

Ms Kate RILEY - Press Officer

UBIFRANCE Press Office in London

Tel: +44 (0) 207 024 3640

kate.riley@ubifrance.fr

View other press releases at :

http://www.ubifrance.com/uk/