On Friday 13 May, the French Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FACCI) in collaboration with Patron Member BDO hosted an event to discuss labor and skills shortage, in presence of The Hon. Martin Pakula, Minister for Industry Support and Recovery in Victoria and HE Jean-Pierre Thébault, Ambassador of France in Australia.

The luncheon gathered French companies CEOs who all mentioned that they were suffering from labor shortage. They were keen to hear about the plans to expand the processing of skilled migrant visas. Maria Jockel, the Immigration Specialist at BDO, highlighted the complex issues of the matter.

Minister Pakula was happy to mention that Paris had been selected as the location for the new Victorian Trade bureau in the EU. Obviously, the Immigration policies are made at Federal level, but the Victorian governement is indeed trying to make Victoria an attractive place to come and invest again .

After the delicious lunch concocted by French chef Philippe Mouchel of Philippe Restaurant, guests could do a cocktail tasting presented by Spirits of France. A nice way to finish a most productive discussion.