OFFSHORE INVESTMENT FIRM UPS FRANCE FUND STAKE

  VBI Corp, an offshore-based
  investment firm, told the Securities and Exchange Commission it
  raised its stake in the France Fund Inc &lt;FRN> to 681,800
  shares, or 9.1 pct of the total, from 551,000, or 7.4 pct.
      VBI, which is based in Turks and Caicos Islands, the
  British West Indies, said it bought the additional shares
  between Feb 24 and March 4.
      It has said it bought its France Fund stake for investment
  purposes only.
  

