CCIs (Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie) are consular chambers present in all French departments, and are active in supporting all types of businesses in the fields of commerce, industry and services.
Created in 1964 and managed by the French government, they also support companies in their growth in France, Europe and the rest of the world.
CCIs also provide a number of services to entrepreneurs, representing, supporting and advising them.
They work with many other public and private bodies to provide high-quality expertise that contributes to the region's economic development and the advancement of training.
The CCI can therefore provide concrete help to entrepreneurs through their roles and missions
The CCIs work alongside local companies to help them develop their businesses.
Entrepreneurs are a key target group that many CCIs intend to reach even more in the coming years, thanks to the creation of tailored support programs. The aim is to enable each individual to acquire all the skills needed to build a viable and coherent project.
To this end, the CCI offers a range of training courses in its " Espaces Entreprendre" centers, as well as a dedicated contact person for each participant.
Above all, these training courses enable entrepreneurs to meet their peers, or attend conferences attended by other business leaders. Entrepreneurs therefore receive genuine support, but always with a sense of realism.
The CCIs offer tests to assess the viability of your project, your entrepreneurial determination and your aptitudes. You'll also receive a complete guide to setting up your own business, to help you understand all the issues you'll have to face.
We can help you create a business model, a financial forecast, a growth strategy or any other administrative procedure.
CCI experts are on hand to check that your project meets consumer demand, and to formalize its legal and administrative aspects during one-to-one meetings.
The "5 days to entrepreneurship" training course focuses on the stages involved in setting up a business. It leads to certification, and notably dispenses with the "Stage Préalable à l'Installation", which the Pacte law presented by the government should make optional.
The CCI Business Builder application lets you consult useful online tools to help you build your project.
Some training courses are chargeable, although partial reimbursement may be requested.
The CCIs are present in the day-to-day life of businesses, and are even key players at certain stages.
Setting up a business or company, applying for public funding, changing legal status or corporate purpose, or cancelling a registration, all require you to contact your local CCI. This is determined by your registered address.
CCIs are managed by business leaders elected by their peers for a 5-year term.
The General Meeting is the decision-making body that votes on the CCI's policy and annual budget, on the recommendation of the Board and the Chairman.
A General Manager is responsible for implementing decisions throughout the year. He is supported by other elected representatives and staff.
The CCIs are public bodies entrusted with a wide range of public-interest missions to promote French businesses at home and abroad.
Among other public bodies, the NOTRE law has entrusted the regions with responsibility for regional economic development, which is why they generally offer additional support and subsidies for entrepreneurs.
For example, the Ile-de-France region, with its new "Entrepreneur #Leader" program, offers a wealth of advice on structuring a project, obtaining financing and managing it during its first few years.
Written by our expert Paul LASBARRERES-CANDAU
July 2, 2018
