Invest in France

Key Competitive Attractions

The Invest in France Agency (IFA) is the national agency responsible for promoting, prospecting and facilitating international investment in France. It also coordinates initiatives to promote the economic attractiveness of France.

France is the third leading recipient of foreign investment in the world behind the U.S.A and China, with approximately 23,000 foreign companies already with business operations in the country.

France – Facts and Figures:

• Strategically placed in the heart of Europe
• World's largest market with 500 million consumers
• Within the euro zone, with the advantages of a common currency with 13 countries
• 2nd largest consumer market in Europe after Germany with 65 million inhabitants
• The world's 5th largest economy with a GDP of $2,490 billion in 2009
• The world's leading tourism destination, with 80 million unique visitors in 2008
• In 2008, France was the 2nd leading recipient of foreign investment, according to UNCTAD, receiving $117.5 billion in foreign investment flows, behind the United States (US $316 billion)
• Europe's leading destination for foreign investment, with a market share of 23.3%
• In 2008, IFA recorded 641 new job-generating foreign investment projects, creating or maintaining approximately 32,000 jobs
• 3rd leading country in terms of hourly productivity (ILO) in the world
• 15 foreign companies who choose to invest in France every week
• 74 source countries of foreign companies established in France

In recent years, numerous key factors have undergone major reforms that are improving the economic environment, including more flexible labour laws, reduced taxes, simplified corporate law, and attractive innovation and R&D credits.

Assistance and Support For New Business Investors

Invest in France pledge that "From the moment you contact one of our offices, whether in France or abroad, and even after your project is up and running, you can count on the IFA to offer tailored expertise every step of the way. In France, the IFA works in partnership with regional development agencies to offer international investors outstanding business opportunities and customized services ".

There are IFA offices in North America, Asia and accross Europe, as well as in France. Services include:

• Giving companies detailed information on any legal regulations that apply to an investment.
• Drawing on the support and expertise of French companies that belong to the IFA Partners Network, including banks, financial institutions, accountants and auditing firms, who can provide specialised services.
• Analysing entitlement to state aid and identifying any financial benefits available for projects, at both regional and national levels.
• Providing the assistance to speed up bureaucratic procedures and help you get in contact with the relevant government departments.
• Helping with staff relocation, including support with administrative formalities.
• Introducing businesses to local authorities, government representatives and elected officials, including the heads of French regions and départements (sub-regions).

Regional and departmental councils offer a varied framework of financial support to meet the needs of investors. Each financial benefit has its own eligibility criteria, which depends mainly on the project type and location, and the company size.

The majority of French government support is given to projects that strengthen the French economy, for example, through job creation, professional training programmes, R&D initiatives and environment protection.
 

Source: Invest in France Agency website

Existing Business Base

France is the world’s fifth leading economic power. It has 3 million businesses, out of which 17 are among the world’s 200 largest, according to Forbes: Total (11th), GDF Suez (17th), EDF Group (27th), BNP Paribas (29th), Crédit Agricole (34th), France Telecom (46th), Société Générale (60th), Sanofi Aventis Group (65th), Axa Group (99th), Vivendi (103rd), Carrefour Group (111th), Vinci Group (149th), L’Oréal Group (176th), CNP Assurances (181st), Saint-Gobain (184th), Bouygues (185th) and Danone (189th).

Around 23,400 foreign companies currently operate in France, employing over 2.3 million people. Foreign companies produce around 40% of French exports and conduct over 20% of French R&D projects.

Over 40% of the equity of companies listed on the CAC 40, the French stock exchange benchmark index, was held by foreign investors as of the end of 2008.

France is also the world’s second largest recipient of foreign investment, making it a global FDI leader.

For more information on France’s business base, please click here.