Economic Mission

Activities which in France come under the Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industry are represented at the Embassy by the Commercial and Financial sections.

The Mission Economique is headed by a Minister Counsellor who represents in the UK the Ministry’s Direction des relations économiques extérieures (DREE).

It is responsible for:
- developing and promoting Franco-British relations in this field and particularly French exports and investments;
- monitoring the economic, business and trade environment in the UK;
- maintaining a dialogue with senior British officials at the Department of Trade and Industry, at the Ministries of Agriculture, Environment and Transport and reporting back to the relevant ministerial departments in Paris and
- keeping French exporters and investors informed on developments and opportunities in most sectors of the British economy and providing them with information on UK markets.

The Financial Agency is headed by the Minister Counsellor for Financial Affairs, who also represents France on the board of the EBRD, and comes under the Ministry’s Treasury Directorate. Its activities, which embrace both the UK and the Republic of Ireland, include :

- dealing with all relevant Franco-British bilateral issues, including those to do with Economic and Monetary Union
- ensuring the promotion of French government securities, liaising with the specialists in Treasury bills
- informing investors of developments in the French economy and Paris stock and financial markets
- monitoring the regulation, organization and activities of the foreign exchange and financial markets and
- reporting on developments in the UK macroeconomic situation and the reforms in progress in the economic and financial sector.

The Tax Attaché Department is the competent authority in charge of the exchange of information between France and the UK. It is also in charge of resolving the implementing difficulties of the tax treaties signed between these two countries.

The Customs Section, is the competent authority in charge of the exchange of information between France and the UK operational services.

The "Invest in France" Agency, which is attached to the Delegation for Town and Country Planning and Regional Activities and promotes British investment in France. It assists UK based companies wishing to set up subsidiaries in France by providing concrete facts about investing in Metropolitan France and presenting them with tailor made proposals which include indications on the level of incentives available, on the best site on offer as well as a "routemap" of the negociation process.

The French Technology Press Bureau, which is attached to the Agency for Technical, Industrial and Economic Cooperation (ACTIM), promotes French technological innovation in the UK.