Visit highlights French investments

MOBILE, Ala. -- Denis Barbet, France's Atlanta-based Consul General to the Southeast, will visit Mobile this week. Barbet in a statement said that with recent investments by companies like Airbus and Safran, it's likely there will be an increase in the French presence in Alabama and Mobile in coming years. Barbet's visit will be hosted by business leaders from the region, including the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, which will host an event to spotlight France's existing investments, including chemical maker Arkema and Technip, which makes products for the oil and gas industry. Barbet also will tour the $600 million Airbus A320 final assembly line that will open in the fall of 2015, and the Port of Mobile. (Source: al.com, 12/09/14)