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The Ambassador said though the two countries couldn't meet the trade target, set at around USD 12 billion in 2012, because of various reasons like global slowdown, it is more important that French investments have grown quite considerably. He said increasing French investment also played a big role in research and development and scientific cooperation between the two countries. Noting that this is the new President's first visit to Asia, Richier stressed on three 'S' � sovereignty, stability and synergy in the bilateral relationship of the two countries that has given strength to the relationship.