EY survey reveals France top in Europe for innovative & industrial investments
05 June 2019by businessfrance -- last modified 05 June 2019
The 2019 edition of EY's 'France Attractiveness Survey' published on 4 June confirms France’s increasing appeal as an investment location.
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The annual report records the international investments made in Europe each year and analyses the perception that foreign economic decision-makers have of the country; as such. It measures real and perceived attractiveness compared with France's leading competitors.
Investment in France on the rise
Against a backdrop of falling investment decisions in Europe (-4% of projects recorded between 2017 and 2018) France is the European country that received the 2nd most foreign investments. 1,027 projects were recorded in France, equating an increase of 1%. Conversely, the UK and Germany saw a 13% decrease in investment projects.
An industrial and innovative France: strong growth in R&D investments
For the 1st time, France takes the top spot among European countries as a destination for innovative investments (with 144 projects), bringing together more innovative projects than Germany and the United Kingdom combined.
France also confirmed its leadership in terms of industrial investments in Europe, with 339 recorded projects, 5% up on 2017. It has held the number 1 spot for more than 15 years.
In London today, Caroline Leboucher, Deputy Managing Director of Business France, the French Government agency in charge of promoting the French economy, is ecstatic with the progress of FDIs in France since 2014. "This report shows that 1st place on the European podium is within France's reach. Home to the most R&D innovation projects in Europe, France also maintains its long-standing top position for industrial operations; the quality of talent available in France is second to none."
Investors #ChooseFrance
The chapter on perception shows that since the start of 2019, France's image has remained positive, despite a difficult social climate. 80% of investors set up in France declare themselves satisfied or very satisfied with their investments.
"France is modernising its economy and investors are sensing this strongly as they make long-term investments in our country. These results are demonstrated by the record year for foreign investment recorded by Business France. The support provided by the government to high-tech industries and innovative projects is encouraging investors to choose France as a destination for their European operations," said Christophe Lecourtier, CEO of Business France.
"France is convincing more and more decision-makers. The reforms being led by the French government show the collective will that exists to make our country more competitive and attractive. The successes of VivaTech and Tech For Good, as well as the emergence of future unicorns, clearly position France as a European leader in innovation, as shown by the 144 R&D investment projects recorded in this report. From my recent meetings with investors in Hong Kong, Singapore, Berlin and New York, I know that this strong message about a France on the move is being heard." said Pascal Cagni, Chairman of the Board of Business France.
Business France is the national agency supporting the international development of the French economy, responsible for fostering export growth by French businesses, as well as promoting and facilitating international investment in France.
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