by business editor
Trevor Sturgess

Kent businesses will be in Calais tomorrow at a jobs fair
that could accelerate the number of cross-Channel workers.

The first-ever Transmanche event of its kind is being held at
Calais Frethun International Station. It has been prompted by the
prospect of a cross-Channel commuter region united by a metro rail
service.

It will underline the close links between Kent and Northern
France and open up employment opportunities on both sides of the
Channel.

A possible metro service could signal rapid growth both in the
number of people living in Kent and commuting to Northern France
and people who live there working daily in Kent.

Ten companies from the UK, France and Flanders are expected to
take part in a fair that will also feature workshops on the pros
and cons of cross-Channel job mobility.

Ashford-based SBE UK, a telecoms repair, logistics and
after-sales business, is among the exhibiting firms.

Organiser Thadde Segard said: "The jobs fair is about giving
visibility to cross-border employment. This will be an opportunity
for UK companies to recruit employees who may reside in France and
work in Britain. We want to showcase our pool of highly skilled
talent to companies based in the south east of England, and to
emphasise the point that the Channel is only a psychological
barrier."

Catherine Fournier, Mayor of Frethun, and Olivier Cadic, a
Canterbury-based representative of French businesses in Kent, are
due to attend. During a visit to Kent, Mme Fournier added: "It's
not only about jobs, it's also for students who want to do work
placements."

More information at www.jobstransfrontaliers.eu/en/exhibit.html