This document summarizes key economic and business information about France. It provides statistics on France's population, GDP, exports/imports, unemployment, inflation, and major industries. France has a population of 63 million, GDP of over $2.5 trillion, and unemployment of 9.4%. Major industries include automotive, luxury goods, finance, tourism, and agriculture/food. The document also highlights France's strategic location in Europe and presence of innovation clusters that support business.

1. FRENCH ECONOMY
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2. FRANCE
President of
Nicolas Sarkozy
Republic
MER
DE L’EST Political Regime Parliamentary Republic
Capital Paris
GDP/Cap >35 000 $
Lyon, Marseille, Lille,
Main cities
Nantes, Toulouse
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3. MAIN ECONOMICAL INDICATORS
Statistics( 20010) France trends
Population (millions) 63
Superficy (km²) 550 000
Density(hab/km²) 114
GDP bilion$ 2590
Growth 1,3%
PIB/hab >35 000$
Pop active 28 million
Unemployment rate 9.4%
Inflation rate 1.9%
Exchanges
Exports billion$ 528
Imports billion $ 594
Finance
Investment rate 28.8% GDP
Public debt 85% GDP
Official Currency Euro
Change euro/$ 1,4
Source : OECD, IMF
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4. 10 REASONS TO GO TO FRANCE
Profitable market Large market
A market where Sophisticated
foreigners succeded consumers
Easy to prospect Ideal location
World class
infrastructures Open country
Strong legal framework Public supports
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5. STRATEGIC LOCATION
Paris lies within 2000 km of all EU countries
putting it just a few hours from a truly global
market — and within easy reach of 500
million consumers in Europe.
Ideally located in the heart of Europe, Paris
is exceptionally easy to reach. Paris is the
world capital for trade fairs, seminars and
professional conferences
Paris brings together senior executives and
plays a vital role in the world economy. Major
multinational firms have opened head offices,
drawn in particular by the outstanding quality
of service needed to finance the economy
and the existence of professional networks
that make for a steady flow of information.
Paris is where decisions are made.
This wealth of economic resources and a
central location make Paris Europe’s city of
choice for corporate headquarters: today 25
of the world’s top 500 businesses have their
head offices in the French capital.
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6. FRANCE, GIANTS COUNTRY
Automotive, 7th globaly Global leaders Building & Soc
Automotives: Peugeot/Citroën 6th car Global builder
manufacturer - Vinci (no.1)
Renault/Dacia/Samsung Motors 9th car - Bouygues (no.2)
manufacturer
Car part manufacturers: Faurecia, Valéo, Building Materials
Plastic Omnium, Mécaplast, etc… - St Gobain n 1
- Lafarge n 3
Luxe, cosmetics, health Finance, banking, Insurance
Main actors Main actors:
LVMH - Axa
PPR -BNP-Paribas
L’Oréal - Société Générale
Sanofi-Aventis - Crédit Agricole
Servier -Scor
Biomérieux -CNP Assuarnces,
Pierre-Fabre -BPCE
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7. FRANCE, MAIN SECTORS
Finance Luxe Tourism Agrofood
Automobile Building
Steel
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9. CLUSTERS & SPECIAL ZONES
INNOVATION CLUSTERS, DRIVING PROGRESS
AND BOOSTING ATTRACTIVENESS
France’s 71 innovation clusters, including 17
world- class clusters, are attractive ‘business
ecosystems’ for international investors.
By setting up business within innovation
clusters, foreign companies can gain access not
only to first-rate research institutes but also to
partner, supplier, subcontractor and customer
networks.
In 2008, 5,330 companies were members of
France’s innovation clusters, owning a total of
6,820 establishments employing 813,000
people.
Among them were 528 foreign companies (10%
of cluster members), owning a total of 754
establishments within innovation clusters.
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10. Please contact our nearest or local office for your general enquiries:
Stockholm Paris
Address: Pipersgatan 26, 11228, Stockholm Address: 7, rue Dahomey, 75011, Paris
Phone: + 46 707 72 85 27 Phone: +33 607 52 81 76
Email: stockholm@columdae.com Email: paris@columdae.com
Copenhagen Milan
Address: Njalsgade 15, 2300, Copenhagen Address: Via Monte Leone 22, Milan
Phone: +45 21 74 97 68 Phone: .+39 34 08 97 50 70
Email: copenhagen@columdae.com Email: milan@columdae.com
www.columdae.com
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