Aviation News Item: 00968

11th Oct 2009

Source: fly-corporate.com

Eurocopter received the 2009 French-Japanese Investment Award, presented by the French Agency for International Investment (AFII) in Tokyo. The agency's mission is to promote Foreign Direct Investment by targeting potential investors and assisting them in the investment process.

Since 2004, the French-Japanese investment awards have been attributed each year by the AFII to companies that have made outstanding contributions to the economies of Japan or France through Foreign Direct Investment. The 2009 ceremony was attended by Mrs. Anne-Marie Idrac, Secretary of State for Foreign Trade.

Eurocopter has been present in Japan for forty years. The Group has captured a 57% share of the Japanese civil and parapublic helicopter market, with 360 Eurocopter helicopters currently in service in the country. In April 2009, Eurocopter decided to reinforce the activities of its local subsidiary, Eurocopter Japan, by acquiring an additional 80% of the shares in its former distributor, the Japanese Euroheli Corporation, thereby increasing its total holding to 90%. Eurocopter also acquired a 60% stake in the newly formed maintenance company Eurocopter Japan T&E. The remaining 40% is owned by the Group's Japanese partner All Nippon Airways Maintenance (ANAM). These two acquisitions have significantly increased the Group's industrial presence in Japan. Through the two deals, which were negotiated in complete transparency with the respective Japanese partners, Eurocopter has become the first foreign manufacturer in the aeronautics sector to possess its own industrial capacity in Japan, and to receive the prestigious award.

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