Each region of France has its own way of attracting entrepreneurs by developing new programs and encouraging companies to locate in their area.
For several years now, the Odoxa institute has been ranking France's most attractive regions for business leaders, according to a number of criteria:
- Conviviality
- Ease of recruiting new talent
- A smooth start-up process
- Regulations
- Training courses
In 2016, some 45% of French people felt that it was rather difficult to do business in their region. However, there is no shortage of initiatives to promote business growth, and some of them are succeeding brilliantly!
Overview of France's most attractive regions for companies
You thought tourism was king in this region? Think again, because it's actually trade and crafts that occupy first place among the most attractive business sectors in the PACA region. 70% of Provençal residents consider their region to be attractive, and 65% would like to stay and start their own business. 58% of the region's inhabitants consider the support available to be sufficient.
The tourism sector ranks only third among all business sectors.
Bretons' attachment to their region is clear: more than 8 out of 10 Bretons want to stay in their region to do business. 69% of them consider the region attractive for investment, with a particular focus on innovative companies and start-ups! Nearly 70% of Bretons consider their region to be the most attractive in France, reflecting their optimism and the region's business-friendly mindset.
The Bretons favor trade and crafts, followed by personal services.
Surveys report good "health and safety" conditions in the workplace, but sometimes point to difficulties in recruiting new talent.
The Pays-de-la-Loire region is renowned for its strong support for innovative companies and investment in research and development. It is particularly attractive to young people for these reasons, and its demographic growth is particularly dynamic. For example, the region has created specific grants for research laboratories involved in innovative projects. They finance projects or the improvement of existinginfrastructures.
Nearly 70% of local residents believe that their region is an attractive place to do business. Business profitability is at the heart of their concerns.
Particularly dynamic in the personal services, tourism and crafts sectors, over 75% of the region's inhabitants have a good opinion of the conditions offered to entrepreneurs to carry out their projects in the region. 68% of locals say that the region offers high-quality support for innovative projects that will drive growth in the years to come.
Among the concerns expressed in the region, the numerous administrative constraints are said to be a hindrance for business owners.
This comment is not confined to the region's business leaders, but is a recurring theme throughout the country.
First place on the podium goes to the people of the Paris region, who believe that their region has what it takes to succeed, at over 80%. Driven by Paris, the country's economic powerhouse, the entrepreneurial spirit and the dynamism of investors radiate throughout the region, which includes numerous competitive clusters.
With its many prestigious universities, research laboratories, business districts and business parks in all sectors, the region has all the ingredients to top the rankings for French and foreign visitors alike.
Among other things, nearly three quarters of the population believe that start-ups are an opportunity for the French economy.
As in the rest of the country, Ile-de-France residents are more active in personal services (30%), trade and crafts ( 24%). As the world's leading tourist destination, this sector is particularly well-developed, accounting for 19% of businesses.
Ile-de-France residents consider high-tech sectors to be the most dynamic and promising for growth in the years ahead: high-tech, the Internet, and the collaborative and solidarity economy top the list.
The region precisely inaugurated its new Entreprendre #Leader scheme at the start of 2018, aimed at encouraging the creation and growth of its businesses.
Numerous partners can now provide advice, financing and support for start-ups for up to three years. This is an unprecedented form of assistance created by the region. The aim is to make the process simpler and clearer, and to achieve a business survival rate of five years or more.
Since the NOTRe law of 2015, the regions have had full responsibility for their economic development responsibilities. Many of France's regions are therefore investing in the creation and development of businesses on their territory. The many strategies pursued are aimed in particular at developing the entrepreneurial spirit. The aim is to be able to innovate in all regions, and to act collectively in the interests of businesses and employment, by better coordinating the players involved and the governance of economic action.
Written by our expert Paul LASBARRERES-CANDAU
March 19, 2018
