foreign investors are betting on France, according to a report

According to Business France, France attracted more investment projects last year than in 2022, despite the doubts of some investors.

According to this report from Business France, the structure responsible for supporting French companies internationally, published Thursday February 29, France attracted 1,815 projects in 2023 compared to 1,725 ​​a year earlier. A gap of around a hundred files which makes the difference in terms of jobs since over the next three years, these projects should enable the maintenance or creation of 59,200 jobs in total.

It should be noted that Business France’s calculation method has changed a little. It now includes investments linked to the digitalization and decarbonization of industry, plus investment decisions over a three-year horizon and which do not constitute a definitive commitment. These changes make it possible to inflate the figures a little over the year, which does not prevent the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, from welcoming these good results on his X account, emphasizing the “trust” of our business partners.

The United States remains at the top of the largest project providers: 305 in total, representing 17,000 jobs. Germany comes in second place with 272 projects, then the United Kingdom, third, with 173 files. The Americans therefore remain at the head of the ranking despite a mixed assessment published Wednesday February 28 by AmCham, the American Chamber of Commerce in France.

Taxation, security… investors’ doubts

Despite the still real attraction of France, American consular representatives evoke a tricolor attractiveness which tends to erode. The reasons put forward are taxation, administrative complexity, more restrictive social legislation in France than on the other side of the Atlantic and the cost of layoffs. What is defended by France as essential social rights is singled out by the United States. In the minds of other investors, issues related to insecurity in our country are also rising in concerns.

Will France remain the main attractive land in Europe as it has been for four years? See you in May with the barometer published by the EY firm, an indicator that is trusted in business circles.