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France and its regions

Significant funding for innovation gives France a competitive edge

Posted by Invest in France Agency in France and its regions, France's image, Innovation and R&D; May 13, 2011

Companies now have the opportunity to take advantage of the 13th round of the French government’s financial support program for research and development (R&D). The next bidding process for funding as part of the innovation cluster concept will close on September 30, presenting a second opportunity this year to join what has proved to be a very successful initiative.

France is already the second-largest spender on R&D in the European Union and the innovation clusters sit at the heart of the country’s efforts to attract international investment. President Sarkozy and Industry Minister Eric Besson both reiterated their importance in speeches earlier this year.

Alsace, Rhône-Alpes, Pays-de-la-Loire: a short tour of the attractiveness of France’s regions

Posted by Invest in France Agency in France and its regions; December 1, 2010

With 191 foreign investment projects in 2009 and ideal conditions for research and development, the Ile-de-France region is noticeably popular with multinational firms. But European and global groups alike have also been quick to set up in other areas of France that can also make strong investment cases. In this post, the spotlight falls on three such regions. 

Ile-de-France: Ideal conditions for Research and Development (R&D)

Posted by Invest in France Agency in France and its regions; November 30, 2010

For Denis Tersen, Managing Director of The Economic Development Agency for Ile-de-France (Paris region), it’s “important to show that Parisians are not only romantic but tech-savvy too!” For this region does indeed offer ideal conditions for research thanks to its infrastructure, excellent universities and innovation clusters. 

These claims are backed up by the statistics: the latest report on foreign investment in France by the Invest in France Agency revealed that Ile-de-France was France’s most popular host region, attracting 191 job-creating projects in 2009. A study by the French Institute for Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) found that these projects included 13 R&D and engineering centers, amounting to over 25% of such investment projects in France and a six-fold year-on-year increase (compared with only two projects in 2008).

Watching the future of technology unfold in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region

Posted by Invest in France Agency in France and its regions; November 29, 2010

The world’s leaders in innovation gathered at the Sophia Antipolis technology park in southern France on November 18 and 19, a most apt choice of venue for the 6th annual Innovation Clusters Forum. There are a total of nine innovation clusters in the PACA  (Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur) region, including SCS (ICT), Pégase (aerospace), Capénergies (green technologies) and Optitec, which together account for 20% of France’s R&D operations in optics and photonics. 

Greater Paris: Welcome to a World City

Posted by Invest in France Agency in France and its regions, France's image; July 2, 2010

It’s been approved, signed and ratified: the City of Light is now to become a Greater City of Light. Last May 27, the French Senate passed a bill giving the green light to the ‘Greater Paris’ project. The goal? To create the most attractive city in the world for businesses. How? First, by promoting the assets Paris already has. After all, it is already Europe’s leading economic region in terms of GDP, and according to the 2009 Fortune Global 500, it is home to more headquarters of the world’s largest 500 companies than any other city, bar Tokyo…

Electric vehicles in France change up a gear

Posted by Invest in France Agency in France and its regions, Green, Sectors of excellence; May 6, 2010
“Plug your car in here” by RachelH on flickr

“Plug your car in here” by RachelH on flickr

Shai Agassi, the founder of Better Place and a former number two at SAP, is not one to beat about the bush: “France is going to lead the way in Europe for electric vehicles”. And all the evidence is there to support his view: electric vehicles are well on the way to becoming a part of the industrial landscape in France. The potential is huge, as electric vehicles could account for 10% of all cars on Europe’s roads by 2020.

By adhering to the guidelines set out in 2007 by France’s “Grenelle” Environment Round Table Talks, one objective of which is to reduce the average emission level of French cars from 176 g to 130 g of CO2/km by 2020, France is making great strides towards “clean” transport for private individuals…

France heads rankings for quality of life for the fourth year in a row

Posted by Invest in France Agency in France and its regions; February 12, 2010

For the fourth year in a row, France has been ranked first in International Living’s quality of life index, which aims to provide Americans with an idea of the best destinations for expatriates in the world. Besides its exceptional health services and low crime levels, France is praised for its cultural edge, in which the small things in life all add to France’s charm.
A country of exceptional beauty, its pristine streets, splendid architecture and charming cafés all contribute to the fine, distinctive aesthetic qualities that France as a country takes great pride in. What’s more, the very essence of life itself is to be savored according to the editor of the publication, who cites the relaxed and sociable attitude of the French as a great reason for living there – ordinary pleasures such as food and drink are to be enjoyed… slowly.