The formation of Group DF represents my intention to bring all parts of the group to a stage where they have international standard operational and financial management reporting, and where the opportunity exists to participate in the world’s capital markets in pursuit of its business expansion.

GDF has developed from its origins through identifying the strategic importance of energy access, distribution and security in an international context. The gas market in Central and Eastern Europe has made a substantial transition from a largely barter based trading system in the 1990’s to an increasingly transparent, competitive and liberalised cash-based system. GDF businesses, including Centragas and Emfesz, have been at the heart of this process, and we intend to pursue further opportunities in the liberalisation of energy markets in Europe and beyond. We also plan to invest significantly in large scale energy-related infrastructure projects in Europe and in due course internationally.

GDF is also committed to investing more widely in its other existing businesses, where we see opportunities for significant returns.