More than 1.400 Italian companies are present in France where they employ over 100.000 staff. Only in 2014 did Italian investors strengthen their attraction for the French market (the first recipient country of Italian investments abroad with 30% of the total) with 89 projects launched beyond the Alps, out of a total of 1014 foreign projects (8,8, XNUMX%).
The data emerge from the study by Business France, a new transalpine government entity, and reveal how Italy, despite a still sluggish period for investments, has been able to achieve its best result in France of the last ten years. These 89 projects will allow – according to the analysis of Business France – to create or maintain 1.685 jobs in France. At European level, in the ranking of investors in French territory, Italy ranks after Germany, on an equal footing with the United Kingdom. Globally, the United States remains the leading investor country in and around Paris.
Destinations. In 2014, even more than in the past, Italian investment projects are aimed at most of the French territory (19 out of 22 regions). However, three regions welcome half of the projects of Italian origin: theIle-de-France (the Paris metropolitan area), with 22% of the projects, Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur (15%) and Midi-Pyrénées (12%). Then follow the regions Rhônes-Alpes (10%), Champagne-Ardenne (7%), Pays de la Loire (7%) and Nord-Pas-de-Calais (4%).
Geographical origin. With 29% of projects in 2014, the Lombardia records a result in line with previous years, followed by Veneto (19%), Emilia-Romagna (15%) and Piedmont (11%). These results confirm the trend of the last 5 years. However, it should be noted that a considerable part of the Italian projects come from the Lazio (8,5%) and Campania (5,5%) regions.
Sectoral breakdown of investments. As in previous years, the majority of projects concern traditional sectors of the economy, with a dominance of the textile, fashion and clothing industries (9% of projects). The year 2014, however, marks a strong progression in the automotive components sector (8% of projects and 28% of uses), and in the chemical and plastics sectors (8%). As regards the nature of the Italian investments made beyond the Alps, production activities represent the majority (37% of the projects), a result which confirms the important historical presence of traditional Italian industries in France. Then follow the decision-making centers (22%) and points of sale (15%). Finally, note the significant weight of R&D which represents 8% of the projects.
Investment types. In 2014 the projects of creation of new sites represent practically one project out of two (49%) as in 2013. The acquisitions of companies in difficulty represent 10% of the projects against 16% in 2013. On the other hand, projects to expand existing sites are increasing (35% against 28% ). This trend can be interpreted as a sign of confidence in the positive evolution of the French market.
