TABLE OF CONTENTS


I. Commercial Overview
   A.  Overview of Import Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
   B.  Major Business Opportunities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
   C.  Synopsis of Commercial Environment  . . . . . . . . . . . .1
   D.  Host Country Business Attitude Towards the U.S. . . . . . .1
   E.  Obstacles to Doing Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
   F.  Nature of Local and Third Country Competition . . . . . . .2

II.     Leading Trade Prospects for U.S. Business. . . . . . .  3-4

III.    Economic Trends and Outlook
   A.  Major Trends and Outlooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
   B.  Principal Growth Sectors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
   C.  Government Role in the Economy  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
   D.  Balance of Payments Situation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
   E.  Trade Barriers  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
   F.  Investment Barriers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
   G.  Labor Force . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
   H.  Major and Third Country Competitors . . . . . . . . . . . .9
   I.  Infrastructure Situation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
   J.  Major Infrastructure Projects Underway in France . . . . .10

IV.     Political Environment
   A.  Bilateral Relationship  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
   B.  Political System  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
   C.  Political Events Affecting Business Climate . . . . . . . 11

V. Marketing U.S. Products and Services
   A.  Distribution & Sales Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-17
   B.  Distribution Systems for Food Products in France  . . . . 18
   C.  Approaches to the French Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
   D.  Selling Factors/Techniques  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20-22
   E.  Government Procurement  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22-24
   F.  Intellectual Property Protection  . . . . . . . . . . .24-29
   G.  Need for Local Attorney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

VI.     Trade Regulations and Standards
   A.  Tariffs and Import Taxes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
   B.  Customs Valuation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30-31
   C.  Internal Taxes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
   D.  Export Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
   E.  Import/Export Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31-32
   F.  Temporary Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
   G.  Labeling and Marking Requirements . . . . . . . . . . .34-36
   H.  Prohibited Imports  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
   I.   Technical Standards  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36-38
   J.   Membership in Free Trade Zone/Warehouse Agreements . . . 39

VII.    Investment Climate in France
   A.  General Government Attitude Towards Foreign Investment 40-42
   B.  Rules and Regulations Affecting Foreign Investment . . 42-45
   C.  Protection of Intellectual Property Rights  . . . . . . . 45
   D.  Investment Incentives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45-46
   E.  Anticipated Changes in Investment Policies  . . . . . . . 46
   F.  Investment Disputes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46-47
   G.  Bilateral Investment Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
   H.  Investment Insurance Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
   I.   Labor and Industrial Relations . . . . . . . . . . . .47-48
   J.   List of Industries to be Privatized  . . . . . . . . .48-49
   K.  Capital Outflow Policy  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
   L.  Tax Policy  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50-52

VIII.Trade and Project Financing
   A.  Banking System  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
   B.  Foreign Exchange Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53-54
   C.  General Financing Availability  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
   D.  Export Financing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54-55
   E.  Correspondent U.S. Banking Arrangement  . . . . . . . .55-56

IX.     Business Travel  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57-59

X. APPENDICES

APPENDIX A      Country Data

APPENDIX B      Best Prospects for Industry, Service and Agricultural
                Sectors for U.S.  . . Exporters to France

APPENDIX C      U.S. and Country Contacts

APPENDIX D      Market Research

APPENDIX E      Trade Event Schedule