BUSINESS leaders from Thanet and France have been considering the exciting potential of cross-Channel markets.

About 80 French business people attended the inaugural Oast to Coast Transmanche show at Margate’s Winter Gardens.

The convention’s aim was to promote Transmanche as The Business Channel. It was organised by Thanet and East Kent Chamber (TEKC).

The French represented three chambers of commerce, from Calais, Boulogne and St Omer.

Thanet council leader Sandy Ezekiel, a local businessman himself, said that the Channel was only a small pond, adding: "We should be using that pond to enhance business."

Bill Moses, chamber director and a ferry industry consultant, conceded that many business people thought that France was a hard market to crack.

He said: "Here today we are trying to de-mystify that. It’s not true. It’s just as easy for people to trade with Calais or Boulogne-based businesses as it is with Gravesend or Orpington."

Jean Marc Puissesseau, president of Calais Chamber, said that there was huge potential for business links between Thanet, Kent and Northern France.

TEKC president Mr Gould was delighted by the excellent response to the event. He said: "The important thing is that the prospects for Transmanche business are very positive.

"There is no doubt in my mind that the future is in the hands of the chambers."