Destinations. In 2011, Italian investment projects affected most of the French territory (16 out of 22 regions). However, two regions welcome more than half of the projects: Ile-de-France, a region that leads the ranking with 37% of projects of Italian origin, and Rhône-Alpes which confirms, with 20% of projects, the strong attraction exerted on Italian entrepreneurs. The Aquitaine (7%) and Midi-Pyrenees (7%) regions follow in third and fourth place respectively.
Geographical origin. The first Italian region to invest in France is Lombardy (with 27% of projects). Followed by Emilia-Romagna (23%), Piedmont (12.5%), Lazio (12.5%), Veneto (12.5%) and Tuscany (6%).
Sectoral breakdown of investments. As in previous years, the Italian companies that have invested in France belong to traditional sectors with a strong predominance of mechanics, the automotive and chemical supply chain for a total of 31%. As regards the nature of the Italian investments made beyond the Alps, production activities represent the majority (41%), against only 36% of German projects. The contribution of Italian investors proves to be very important for the French industrial fabric which contributes only 12,6% of GDP, against 18,8% in Italy. Note the relevance of research and development activities (11%).
Investment types. As in 2010, 2011 is characterized by a high number of projects to expand existing sites (54%) demonstrating the further strengthening of Italian companies already present in France which focus particularly on research and development activities. There is also a high level of creation of new branches (28%). Finally, the acquisitions of French companies, especially those in difficulty, remain a type of investment particularly appreciated by Italian entrepreneurs: these operations represent 17% of Italian projects against 7% of projects in other countries.
“These results, in a particularly difficult economic context, confirm the quality and solidity of the economic relations between our two countries. They also demonstrate the dynamism and responsiveness of Italian entrepreneurs. Alongside the large Italian groups, whose historical presence is getting stronger, numerous small and medium-sized enterprises are emerging which find a favorable space for their internationalization in the French market. Overall, since 2008, Italian entrepreneurs have launched over 200 investment projects which have created or maintained around 11000 jobs”, recalled Hervé Pottier, Italy Director of the French Agency for International Investments.
