fied and followed up in 2016 , up from 1,333 in 2015 , while Business France teams organized around a thousand site visits for foreign investors .
Business France currently operates in 73 different countries , having doubled its presence throughout the world to attract foreign investors , opening new branches in Kuwait and Ethiopia in 2016 , along with two offices in Iran and Nigeria .
Business France publishes improved operating results across the board
Paris , March 2 , 2017 – Business France has continued to build upon its success for the second successive year following its creation in January 2015 , according to improved operating results across the board published Thursday , as greater synergies between supporting French exporters and attracting foreign investment to France start to pay off .
The number of SMEs and mid-size companies benefiting from Business France ’ s export services increased from 9,755 in 2015 to 9,993 in 2016 , including 5,682 through collective events ( France Pavilions at international trade fairs , business meetings , etc .) and 3,429 receiving customized support .
462 collective events were organized abroad as part of the France Export Program , including 152 France Pavilions .
Criteria for providing customized support and follow-up to growth SMEs and mid-size companies , in partnership with France ’ s public investment bank Bpifrance , showed that 1,101 businesses had initiated their international action plan by the end of 2016 , well ahead of an initial target of 1,000 by the end of 2017 .
Business France ’ s strategy to make the VIE International Internship Program a leading bespoke solution in foreign countries for businesses and young professionals alike can be seen by the surge in interns taking part in the program , rising from 9,006 in 2015 to 9,572 by the end of 2016 in 134 countries .
One business in two receiving support from Business France in 2016 struck at least one trading agreement , while three in four businesses found new potential trading partners .
Moreover , 643 foreign investment decisions receiving support from Business France and its regional development partners were successfully completed during the year , up from 522 in 2015 , while the total figures for foreign investment projects and jobs generated in France will be published in late March 2017 .
As France ’ s leading player in the international development of the French economy , Business France signed or renewed a number of public and private partnerships in 2016 , which included agreements with France ’ s public investment bank Bpifrance , French Chambers of Commerce and Industry both within France and internationally , France ’ s foreign trade advisors ( CCEFs ), Expertise France , Atout France , the French Trademark and Patent Office ( INPI ), the French Trade Entrepreneurs Federation ( OSCI ), the French Employer Federation MEDEF International , the French Development Agency ( AFD ), Euler Hermes , Société Générale and Crédit Agricole .
Business France also looked to strengthen its regional partnerships in 2016 by signing a cooperation agreement in September with France ’ s regions , enabling them to work more closely with the agency ’ s various business lines and global network .
“ These excellent results for 2016 are an endorsement of how Business France has been set up to operate . After an excellent start in 2015 , we have now built upon our early success . For this , we can thank the unstinting commitment , expertise and capabilities of our 1,500 personnel , who hail from 65 different countries and together provide active support to help businesses succeed , whether this be in export markets or by investing in France . The coming year will see an even greater impact , as we work increasingly closely with public- and private-sector partners , especially in France ’ s regions ,” said Muriel Pénicaud , CEO of Business France and Ambassador for International Investment .
Business France is the national agency supporting the international development of the French economy , responsible for fostering export growth by French businesses , as well as promoting and facilitating international investment in France .
It promotes France ’ s companies , business image and nationwide attractiveness as an investment location , and also runs the VIE international internship program .
Founded on January 1 , 2015 through a merger between UBI- FRANCE and the Invest in France Agency , Business France has 1,500 personnel , both in France and in 70 countries throughout the world , who work with a network of publicand private-sector partners .
For further information , please visit : www . businessfrance . fr
Houston Office : Managing Director : Eléonore Cluzel Eleonore . cluzel @ businessfrance . fr 713-985-3278
No fewer than 1,553 foreign investment projects were identiiF Magazine | www . iFMagazine . net 43