Business

François Kahn has had enough of the French mainstream. Raised in a conservative Parisian family, his sympathies growing up were on the right. About 10 years ago, he switched his allegiance to the Socialists, who seemed to embody values that had grown important to him, such as equality and social justice.

But on Sunday, the first round of France’s presidential elections, Mr. Kahn, a 30-year-old strategic planner and graduate of one of France’s top business schools, will be voting for Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a former teacher and Trotskyist, whose party, the Front de Gauche, groups a hodgepodge of former Communists, environmentalists and anti-globalists disheartened by a presidential race that many voters feel is out of touch with their bread-and-butter concerns about jobs, the rising cost of living and the future of their state pension and health care benefits.

Paris has overtaken London to become the number one city in Europe for property investment while Moscow has overtaken Berlin as the number six city, according to global property adviser CBRE. More >

Paris His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, visited the Paris Book Fair that is being hosted at the Versailles Expo Centre in France. The acclaimed literary event attracts an average of 180,000 visitors annually.

During his visit, Dr Shaikh Sultan said: “Book fairs represent the fountainhead of culture. “The Paris Book Fair presents a unique opportunity to facilitate the translation of Arab literary works into various languages,” he added.

The Ambassador of Pakistan Shafkat Saeed has said that Pakistan’s Textile products have great potential of finding more space in European markets. He was talking to Mr. Sherppe, the president of Taxworld Fair being held here. The Ambassador visited Pakistan’s pavilion and Pakistani entrepreneurs’ stalls.

He discussed with the exhibiters prospects of business development in France and assured them of continuation of full support and cooperation from the Mission. The exhibitors told the Ambassador that the response of the buyers was highly encouraging, says a press release.