A look back at international investments in 2023: 35 investment decisions per week in France

“Thanks to the reforms and our appeal strategy, France still attracts more international investors. Our partners trust us! And it’s good for employment and small scale regions”, said French president Macron on X (ex Twitter) to comment the latest and very encouraging results for French appeal and economy.

France, champion of Europe

According to Business France, these results show that “France managed to maintain its appeal to international investors”. They are “the result of a broad programme of structural reforms implemented since 2017” aiming at “transforming the economy, company businesses and increase competitiveness”. The agency also underlines that France has been “first in Europe for the reception of foreign investments in four consecutive years”.

In detail, in 2023, exactly 1,815 investment decisions were listed, and such projects will lead to the “creation or conservation of 59,254 jobs ovrer 3 years”. For the most part, they are foreign investments in several fields, such as decarbonation, digitalisation and technologic partnerships that are part of the appeal strategy France 2030. To be noted that decarbonation, a priority for France, represents 205 investment projects, which is 11.3% of the total of projects.

Europe and the US at the first rank of investors

All these projects, says Business France, come from 56 different countries. For most, they come from Europe (65% of projects and 56% of jobs), but the United States keep the first position with 305 projects (17,000 jobs), ahead of Germany with 272 projects (6,815 jobs). The third country investing in France is the United Kingdom, with 173 projects listed (4,435 jobs).

On the domestic side, international investments touch all the territory. Companies under foreign control are present and create jobs in all regions of France. As an example, 49% of projects and 73 industrial projects are made in cities under 20,000 inhabitants.

The new industrial and economic ambition of France

The France 2030 plan gives foreign investors the opportunity to participate in the new industrial ambition of France. This is why 559 projects listed in this 2023 report of investors are for priority segments targeted by France 2030, i.e. a total 31% of investments.

But, as the website of the French Presidency points out, “France is not satisfied with its achievements, but is resolutely embarking on new reforms to maintain its position at global and European level”. The country is continuing “its efforts to modernise and innovate” and, in order to promote its “economic assets”, foreign investors are invited each year to Versailles for the Choose France Summit, a “meeting that has become a must on the agenda of international leaders”. Last autumn, France even launched the Make it Iconic campaign, an advertising campaign based on France’s strengths “in terms of industrial and economic dynamism, innovation potential, and cultural and artistic vitality”. The Presidency concludes: “Investors and talented people from all over the world are invited to come and create in this land of innovation”.