WDA Manager Honoured with French Award; RECOGNITION: L'Ordre National Du Merite Conferred for the Promotion of Franco-Welsh Economic Relations

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Byline: ROBERT JONES

JOHN REES, the Welsh Development Agency's manager in France, was awarded the L'Ordre National du Merite by French Ambassador Daniel Bernard, at a ceremony yesterday at City Hall, Cardiff.

The award, for work in promoting Franco-Welsh economic relations, presented in the name of President Jacques Chirac, is a mark of honour rarely presented to people outside of France.

At 38 Mr Rees John is one of the youngest recipients.

Mr Rees accepted the honour on behalf of the agency, and said it reflected the high esteem with which the WDA was held in France where it is regarded as the leading economic development agency.

"This …