President John Agyekum Kufuor begins a seven-day official visit to France on November 30 as the European country encourages its businessmen to invest in Ghana. He will meet with the French President, Prime Minister, leaders of the senate and national assembly, business executives and bankers.

The French Ambassador in Ghana, Mr Jean-Michel Berrit told reporters that President Kufuor, who will be undertaking the trip at the invitation of French President, Mr Jacques Chirac would discuss a wide range of issues including economics, politics and regional integration. Trade between the two countries has been edging up in recent years and the French government is anxious to advertise Ghana to its citizens, Mr Berrit said.

According to him, Ghana has been added to France's list of Priority Solidarity Zone, which was drawn up by the French government as part of the reform of its cooperation mechanisms. This means Ghana would benefit from all the instruments available under French development assistance schemes, some of which were restricted until recently to the francophone countries.