France is the most attractive country in Europe for foreign investors.

Nicolas Barré takes stock of a current economic issue.

This is good economic news.

Despite the year of crisis that we have just experienced, France remains the country which attracts the most investment projects in Europe.

Of course, in 2020, there were fewer new projects for the creation of factories or the establishment of new production units.

But despite everything, nearly 1,000 foreign investment decisions in our territory have been recorded by the EY cabinet, which scrutinizes these projects every year at European level.

France remains in the lead in Europe, just ahead of the United Kingdom and Germany.

This was already the case the previous year: our country holds the prize for attractiveness in Europe.

These foreign investments in France are also a lot of jobs.

This in fact represents a little over 30,000 jobs.

And what should also be noted is that the perception of France by foreign investors has changed.

We still have our handicaps like arguably the most complicated labor law in the world, high taxes and often gruesome administrative rules.

But at the same time, France has gained a more "pro-business" image thanks to measures such as the reduction of production taxes, the reduction of corporation tax, the reform of the ISF or the ordinances on work.

And in the long run, it pays off.

The proof: 60% of new investment projects come from companies that are already present and that are observing these changes.

Despite everything, it remains difficult to attract activities with high added value.

It is true that we lack large research and development centers for foreign companies, despite the research tax credit which is supposed to promote this type of activity. Moreover, new foreign investment is found more in services than in industry, while the government's priority is reindustrialisation. It remains a black point. But we have come a long way. Five years ago, the United Kingdom attracted twice as many investment projects as France. Today we are slightly ahead. And it's not just because of the Brexit effect.