French minister to lead trade mission to Myanmar

French Trade Minister Nicole Bricq will lead a delegation of small- and medium-sized businesses to Myanmar next week as France looks to boost trade ties with the once-isolated nation.
Bricq's office said in a statement that she would be joined by representatives of 15 businesses for the visit on July 30 and 31.
The trip "will allow France to present what it has to offer to authorities" in the country, and will include meetings with the finance minister and other officials.
It comes after Myanmar's President Thein Sein last week visited France, where he met with President Francois Hollande and was praised for implementing reforms.

The European Union last month readmitted Myanmar to its trade preference scheme, saying it wanted to support reform in the once-pariah state through economic development.