LEGGETT IMMOBILIER - LOCAL KNOWLEDGE YOU CAN TRUST 39
T
HERE'S NO DOUBT
about it: starting your
own business in a
country where you're
unfamiliar with the
language and systems can be a
daunting prospect.
For many, the move to
France might necessitate being
self-employed. For others,
who've always had their own
business, it may simply be a
question of how best to go
about it. In either case, having
helpful French contacts can
make all the difference. And
help really is close at hand
thanks to the Franco-British
Chamber of Commerce.
"Setting up a business here
can be a fairly simple process,"
says Roger Haigh, who runs
the Chamber for the Dordogne.
"The most important thing is to
get the right information and
follow the right steps. That's
where we can help."
The Chamber was set up
more than 140 years ago. Since
then, it has successfully helped
many companies establish
themselves both in France and
the UK. Over the years its remit
has grown and it now provides
a wide variety of services: from
those seeking help with a startup,
to export assistance for
businesses wanting to expand
into the UK.
Much of the information
and advice they provide is free.
There's no cost for initial advice
on registering a company
here. They can also provide a
variety of highly cost-effective
services, such as French lessons
for as little as €3 per hour.
Networking is essential for any
successful enterprise and the
Chamber provides the ideal
conduit.
With the variety of business
options being as long as
the proverbial piece of string,
Roger cannot stress enough the
importance of getting the right
advice: "For instance, should
you be planning to set up in a
trade, you must do an obligatory five-day
training course.
Again, this is free."
His main concern is over unqualified advice.
"It's the same
the world over: all too often an
'expert' provides a newcomer
with flawed information. It's far
better to give us a ring and ask
how we can help."
Roger is based in the Dordogne
and his head ofice is in Paris.
There are also representatives in
Nice, the Corrèze, Toulouse and
Normandy. If you're not in any of
these areas, give Roger a ring or
call the Paris ofice.
Mind your own
business...Roger Haigh from the Franco-British Chamber of Commerce and
Industry gives his advice on starting your own business in France,
and we interview two inspiring people who have successfully
taken the big step
LEGGETT MAGAZINE EXPERT ADVICE
WORDS: HELEN HOLBROOK
Ce ne sont pas que les retraités britanniques qui viennent s'installer en
France, mais également de jeunes familles et des personnes
actives, qui
cherchent avant tout un changement
de train de vie sans pour autant s'arrêter
de travailler. Cela signifie pour
la plupart qu'ils doivent développer
leur propre activité commerciale.
Roger Haigh, représentant en Dordogne de la Chambre
de Commerce et
d'Industrie franco-britannique, est
là pour leur prêter main forte. Même
si la création d'entreprise n'est pas
forcément un processus dificile, la
méconnaissance de l'administration
française et la barrière de la langue
peuvent parfois intimider. C'est pour
cela que la Chambre de Commerce
et d'Industrie franco-britannique
existe, non seulement pour assister à
la création de nouvelles entreprises
mais également pour aider les sociétés françaises
qui veulent développer leur activité en France.
Elle
propose de nombreux services et un
réseau exceptionnel de networking.
Le siège social de la Chambre de
Commerce et d'Industrie franco-britannique est situé à Paris
mais vous
pouvez contacter ses représentants
en Dordogne, à Nice, en Corrèze, à
Toulouse et en Normandie.
Roger Haigh can be
contacted on:
Tel. +33 (0)6 10 35 18 91
or by email
roger.haigh@
francobritishchamber.com