France's 2019 FDI Report: a record year for UK & foreign investment in France

LONDON - June 3, 2020 - PRLog -- UK investment projects in France increase by 46% and job creation by 140 %. The United Kingdom was the 3^rd leading investor in France in 2019 and the 2^nd largest creator of jobs, accounting for 12% of investment projects and 15% of jobs created or maintained. France takes number 1 spot for FDIs in Europe for the first time according to the 2019 EY attractiveness Barometer.

"France was the most attractive country in Europe for foreign investors in 2019. Our economic policy is showing results; now we should continue in this direction. These foreign investments are a chance for employment, our economy and our regions. We have all the advantages to emerge stronger from the coronavirus crisis," said Bruno Le Maire, the Minister for the Economy and Finance.

As the 3^rd largest investor in France, after the US and Germany, the UK stands out with the most significant increase in the top 10 investor countries in France. 173 British investment decisions in France were recorded in 2019, creating or maintaining 5,927 jobs, 15% of the nationwide total from foreign investment. British companies were the leading contributors to increased investment projects (+46%) and jobs generated (+140%) in 2019.

In 2019, France was the leading European recipient of British job creation investment, attracting 24% of British projects in Europe, ahead of Germany (17%) and Spain (10%).

The year was also marked by takeovers of ailing production/manufacturing sites by British investors, enabling jobs to be maintained across the country. British investments in production/manufacturing were responsible for 28% of all jobs recorded.

Globally, France attracted a total of 1,468 new foreign investment decisions in 2019, an increase of 11% compared to 2018.

Jobs created or maintained in France by investments from foreign businesses also jumped 30%, creating 39,542 jobs in 2019. On average, 28 investment decisions were recorded every week in France last year.

A large majority of the investment projects identified in 2019 are already underway, or have already been completed, which already serves as a solid foundation for France's FDI balance sheet.

French industry remained the main beneficiary of foreign investments (new sites and expansions), with 26% of all investments and 380 projects in 2019, up 19% from 2018.

R&D and engineering activities accounted for 22% of international investments, with 157 investment decisions, compared with 129 projects in 2018 (up 22%). Jobs associated with the creation and expansion of R&D centres rose by 35% in 2019, with 3,775 jobs, compared with 2,793 jobs in 2018.