3 Mar 2006

French overseas territories minister set to arrive in New Caledonia

9:19 am on 3 March 2006

The French overseas territories minister is due to arrive in New Caledonia today for his first visit there.

Mr Baroin will visit all three provinces.

In the south, he'll talk to the nickel mining company Inco, about the Goro project, and in the north, he'll talk to the nickel mining company Falconbridge about the Koniambo project.

In the course of his visit, Mr Baroin is expected to sign four-year development contracts.

He'll also place flowers on the tomb of the independence leader Jean-Marie Tjibaou assassinated in 1989.