EADS looks for opportunities in America.

During a conference held by France-Ameriques and French-American Foundation, Louis Gallois reasserted yesterday that EADS would acquire companies in the US, but also make investments or look for partnerships in other countries like Mexico, Canada or Brazil. EADS is “scrutinising midsize companies in the US to assess which ones could possibly be our target”, he declared, adding that EADS had some € 7Bn at hand that it can use to buy up dollar-based companies or invest in setting up industrial activities in dollar-based countries. In order to narrow down its exposure to the weak dollar and further reinforce its defence activity, the company will “accelerate its purchases in the dollar area: in the US, but also in other countries like Mexico”, Mr Gallois reaffirmed. “Mexico is a major target for us”, he added, pointing at its proximity to the US and the free-trade ties between the two countries. Mr Gallois revealed that he had held talks with Mexican executives over the weekend, reports Dow Jones Newswires. He told the news agency that EADS would be more interested in investing in production facilities there or finding local partners rather than by an acquisition of local companies. In this context, EADS would also be interested in strengthening its cooperation with Embraer and Bombardier. “We are not only focused on the US. There are two other great aeronautical countries: Brazil and Canada”. Embraer and Bombardier have long-standing networks of suppliers, he went on. AFP (07/04), Dow Jones Newswires (07/04), Les Echos, La Correspondance Economique