Var Accueil Investisseurs (Var Invest)
Key Competitive Attractions
Var Accueil Investisseurs (VAI) is the Var's economic promotion and development agency and a department of the Var Chamber of Commerce and Industry (financed in conjunction with Var Regional Council). Its main objective is to assist businesses seeking to expand or start up in the area, by providing expert knowledge and support.
VAI can provide entrepreneurs with the highest quality and most efficient project engineering solutions thanks to its connections with significant local economic players.
The Var Department is one of France's top tourist locations, and holds much commercial appeal. Strategically located in the geographical centre of the Latin Arc, the Var sits at the interface between Northern and Southern Europe, making it ideal for entrepreneurs interested in combining economic expansion with quality of life, and professional and personal progression. The Var also offers important available land in nearby Business Parks, including the Signes Business Park in particular.
Strategic sectors:
- Food and agriculture
- Defence and security
- Maritime industry
- Environment and new energies
- Health and wellbeing
- Motor sports
- The international ITER and nuclear project
The trade ports of Toulon and la Seyne sur Mer can accommodate the largest cruise ships in the world and offer a freight line to Turkey. Recently the Port of La Seyne sur Mer was chosen by RCCL, the second global world cruise company, as a port of call for cruise ships, at the expense of Marseille!
Assistance and Support For New Business Investors
All services are free and confidential. VAI can:
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Welcome creative and business leaders of new and established businesses.
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Provide information on the local and regional economic environment per industry segment.
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Help with administrative procedures and facilitate networking with partners.
- Provide assistance in seeking the right location and adapting to the new environment.
- Analyse the project company and its contexts.
- Facilitate and organise meetings with institutional, economic, financial, industrial bodies.
- Help in the search for start-up sites.
- Identify areas of economic activity.
Existing Business Base
General Figures
- Var: 1 million inhabitants, 153 towns
- Toulon and its surrounds make up France's 9th largest conurbation
- 432 km of Mediterranean shores
- Surface area 5,973 km2
- 300 days of sunshine per year
- Working population: 416,886 (2006)
Economy
- Number of establishments employing over 20 staff: 2,069 (2007)
- Number of businesses in operation on 01/2010: 88,078 (10th in France)
- Number of business start-ups 1st quarter 2010: 3,760
- La Seyne-sur-Mer ranks 1st in terms of start-ups / businesses in operation
- GDP per inhabitant €18,902
Tourism
- France's leading area in terms of holiday homes
- Second department for tourism after Paris
- 10 million tourists per year
- An average of 66 million overnight stays (30 % of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur regional total)
- Over 450 hotels, including 135 three-star and 41 four-star and 9 five-star establishments - total capacity around 13,000 rooms
- Around 80 apartment hotels
- 12 ports bearing the European "blue flag" quality label in 2010
Leisure:
- France's most densely-forested area
- Around 15 golf courses and practice facilities
- Under 2 hours from the nearest ski slopes
- 40 amusement and leisure parks
- 53 marinas
- 90 kilometres of beaches
- Prestigious natural sites (Sainte Baume hills, Bay of Toulon, Bay of Saint-Tropez, Golden Islands, etc.)
Foreign Investment
- 3rd French region
- 1st French region for job creation in Research & Development centres
- 1100 companies in the region, the majority of which are European and North American
- Most popular French destination for foreign film producers
