France to build center in Bali

France to build center in Bali

BALI: The French government plans to set up a cultural center in Bali to promote understanding of its culture, French Ambassador to Indonesia Renaud Vignal has said.

Vignal said after meeting Bali Governor Dewa Beratha in Denpasar on Thursday that the cultural center was a non-profit organization that would run educational activities, such as a French language course for elementary and junior high school students, music courses and other arts training.

The French government wanted to boost cooperation with Bali, Vignal said. "We will realize this cooperation through the establishment of Indonesian-French cultural centers. One of the them will be built in Bali," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

Bali, known as the Island of the Gods, ranks second after Jakarta in locations most frequented by the French in Indonesia. The French community in Bali comprises around 1,000 people.

The center is expected to help bridge cultural differences and attract more tourists to Bali.

Beratha showed his appreciation of the French government's interest in Bali. He also assured the ambassador that security conditions on the island were improving and asked for his assistance in the recovery of Bali's tourist industry.

The Oct. 1 bombings of three restaurants in Kuta and Jimbaran have discouraged foreign tourists from visiting Bali. The bombings killed 23 people, including three suicide bombers. -- JP