Turin confirms itself as one of the main hubs of the relations economic between Italy e France, with an increasingly structural role in trade flows, investments and high-tech industrial collaborations. This is what emerged from the forum “France-Piémont: an ax for industrial innovation”, hosted at the Turin headquarters of the ESCP Business School, which brought together institutions, businesses, and diplomatic representatives to review bilateral relations and the prospects for industrial cooperation between the two countries, with particular attention to the innovation sectors and strategic European supply chains.
Economic exchanges and the role of Piedmont in relations with France
The initiative is part of a context of growth of economic tradeIn 2025, trade between Italy and France reached €112 billion, a 6% increase compared to 2024. France remains Italy's second-largest trading partner, while Italy is France's third. The overall trade balance remains positive for Italy, amounting to €17,6 billion.
At the regional level, the Piedmont It stands out as one of the main hubs for relations with the French market, with a positive trade balance of €3,2 billion. Imports from France stand at €6 billion, while exports reach €9,2 billion, driven primarily by the manufacturing and transportation sectors. The province of Turin confirms a positive balance, with exports amounting to 4,4 billion euros and imports of 3,1 billion, particularly in the industrial and transport sectors.
French investments and industrial presence in Italy
In addition to trade, the economic relationship between the two countries is supported by an intense network of investmentsFrance is one of the main foreign investors in Italy, with assets exceeding €100 billion. Between 2019 and 2023, 134 acquisitions of Italian companies were recorded in France, for a total value of €35 billion.
222 French multinationals operate in Piedmont, with 783 locations and approximately 37.000 employees. According to data from the Chamber of Commerce of Turin e by Unioncamere Piemonte, there are 2.568 French entrepreneurs in the region, of which 1.538 in the province of Turin alone.
Economic cooperation and objectives of the France-Piedmont forum
The event was promoted by the French Embassy in Italy and the French Consulate General in Milan, together with CCI France Italie, Unione Industriali Torino, the Turin Chamber of Commerce, and the Enterprise Europe Network. The goal was to strengthen economic dialogue and identify new opportunities for industrial collaboration between the two countries.
In her speech, the French Ambassador to Italy Anne-Marie Descôtes He stated: “The Piedmont-France Economic Forum demonstrates the depth and vitality of the Italian-French partnership at the heart of Europe. At a time of profound industrial transformation, our two countries have more than ever an interest in joining forces to innovate, invest, and jointly build more sovereign, sustainable, and competitive European supply chains. Piedmont, with its industrial history, its capacity for innovation, and its historic ties with France, is a natural fit for this cooperation. I am delighted that this Forum brings together businesses, researchers, and key players in strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence, space, mobility, and luxury.”
The work focused on four areas considered strategic for European industrial development: artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing, mobility and sustainability, fashion and luxury, and finally space and aeronautics. The working groups brought together representatives of companies and research centers active in their respective sectors, with the aim of fostering the exchange of expertise and new joint projects between Italy and France.
