Editorial
 
Geographic information: the French supply  

Over the years, geographic information has changed considerably, mainly through the influence of the new information and communication technologies. It is a fast-growing market owing to the diversity of supply of geographic information products and their derivatives and the wealth of possible applications. There are no longer many economic sectors in which this resource does not play a part.
In France, activities related to geographic information, which are cross-cutting in nature, bring together structures varying in size, with resources and organisational capacities that may be limited. Five main stakeholder categories are involved: backbone bodies (CNIG¹, Afigéo²), institutional actors (such as IGN³, the Land Registry Office or the SHOM⁴), state-delegated bodies (OGE⁵, network managers), local authorities which have an increasing role, and private actors (large companies, specialized SMEs, software editors, etc.).
To meet increasing and ever more complex demand - combining extensive sectoral knowledge and specific experience - an Export Club was created in 1999 by Afigéo. It provides companies with sector-based support and defines geographic priorities and fields of application able to strengthen the presence of French economic actors on the international front.
Many concrete achievements the world over already reflect French expertise, whether technological, institutional or organizational - knowhow embracing projects from design through to completion, which includes the training of local operators.

Jacques Lagardère,
President of CNIG

¹ National Council for Geographic Information (CNIG) - an interministerial, 35-member body representing the public sector (ministries, local authorities, etc.) and associating the private sector.
² French Association for Geographic Information (Afigéo).
³ National Geographic Institute (IGN).
⁴ French Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service (SHOM).
⁵ Association of Chartered Surveyors (OGE).

Contents

• Geographic information: the French supply  

• Feature: Geographic information: a strategic challenge
  The new situation regarding geographic information results from the conjunction between several major technological developments and from the creation of groups able to provide worldwide information. Owing to considerable gains in productivity, there has been no increase in the cost of access to information. But there is a real risk of a new divide between have and have-not countries.  

• Information Update : News-Events-Training sessions-Publications 

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