Invest in France

Our Mission

Invest in France Agency is the French government agency for International Investment. Our mission is to help our clients find in France the most profitable and competitive solution for their business in Europe.

Invest in France Agency London provides UK and Ireland-based companies with customised, confidential and complimentary information and services on how to develop their activity in France.

Invest in France Agency provides general information on the French market, key industry contacts, site selection studies and regulatory information, as well as assistance in identifying potential partners and acquisition opportunities. In addition to those services we offer access to all financial and fiscal incentives available.

Our Team

Our Services

- Our main objective is to promote France within Europe as the most attractive location for international investment:

We meet CEOs’ and senior decision-makers from companies around the world, assisting with their expansion projects and discussing their specific needs and concerns.

We provide feed back to the French government and make recommendations toward reforms to make France a more attractive place to do business.

We represent all regions of France.

- We infuse government policies to improve France’s economic attractiveness:

The Strategic Council for Attractiveness
- Created in April 2003 by the Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, with Clara Gaymard as the Secretary.
- Gathers 25 Chairmen and CEOs’ of global companies.
- Meets twice a year.

127 measures have already been implemented within two years
- Streamlining Procedures for Entry, Work Permits and education
- New Fiscal Measures (new R&D tax credit, carry back system...)
- Supporting New Business and innovation
- More flexibility in labour regulations
- Industry-Specific Measures (NGOs, film, arts...)

Our Result

France reached record investment figures in 2005
- France ranks 4th in terms of FDI
- 33 296 jobs created
- 664 FDI projects (+12,4% compared with 2003)

IFA UK &Ireland results for 2005:
- 61 projects for 2600 jobs created (+44% over 2004)
- UK rises to third largest investor with 8,6% market share

English & Irish investment stocks in France at the end of 2005:
- 1,800 companies
- 240,000 jobs

- France attracts a significant part of the European R&D investments • 27% of jobs created • 15% of new projects

Success Story 2005: AstraZeneca.

Anglo-Swedish group AstraZeneca to start up new production lines in Dunkirk.

AstraZeneca has invested some €90 million to produce a new device for delivering medication used in asthma treatment. The move will create around 150 jobs at its plant in Dunkirk in northern France. Built in 1991, the plant costs over €500 million and currently employs 630 people

At a ceremony inaugurating the new capacity in Dunkirk, AstraZeneca chief executive SirTom McKillop noted “the key role of France in AstraZeneca’s business development strategyand industrial investment”, adding “When we set up in Dunkirk in 1991, we undertook to create jobs and pursue a program of long-term redevelopment of the industrial area around Dunkirk. We have made good on that commitment.”

The current project has been backed by IFA, NFX (Nord France experts) and other local and regional authorities, whom Sir Tom thanked for their active support over the years.

In addition to its Dunkirk plant, AstraZeneca has a production facility in Reims in the Loire Valley, as well as a cancer research center in Reims. It employs 2,600 people and reports revenues of nearly €2 billion in France, one third on export markets. “The French government is a leader in promoting innovation and investment in pharmaceuticals and industry,” says Sir Tom.

Anglo-Swedish AstraZeneca is the world’s seventh largest pharmaceuticals group, employing 64,000 people worldwide and generating total sales of $21.4 billion.