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  Dec. 5, 2007: Egyptian Communications & Information Technology Minister Tarek Kamel met with Thierry Morin at Valeo's Paris HQ to discuss the Group's investment in Egypt, where the VIAS (Valeo Inter-branch Automotive Software) Division is based.

The Minister, accompanied by a delegation of government officials and business leaders, was given a detailed presentation of Valeo's product portfolio and innovations, with a special focus on the software development and electronics activities of the Group's Center for Electronics Excellence.

Following the meeting, the Minister gave a press conference at Valeo HQ for a dozen Egyptian journalists who were accompanying him and two fellow ministers
-- Transport Minister Mohamed Mansour and Trade & Industry Minister Rachid Mohamed Rachid -- on a three-day visit to France. During their visit they also met with French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde and Secretary of State for Business & Foreign Trade Hervé Novelli.

image On Dec. 6, 2007, the three Egyptian Ministers took part in a special event at the French Chamber of Commerce to meet with potential investor companies and present French business successes in Egypt. Valeo was one of three French companies (along with Alcatel-Lucent and Orange-France Telecom) selected as speakers for the round table session on communication and information technology.

VIAS currently employs 120 R&D and software engineers, and plans to grow to at least 150 in the near future. The Division will be moving into a brand new facility in Cairo's Smart Village by the end of the year.