The French economy is open to trade and investment.

In 2005, FDI inflows in France reached 40 billion euros and France invested 48,6 billion euros abroad.

Indeed, investors appreciate the quality of the French workforce, the high level of research, the mastery of high technology, stability of the currency and a good control of production costs.

Nowadays, France is ranked fourth in the world as host country for direct foreign investment behind Great-Britain, China and the USA. France outflows are destined to Great Britain, Netherlands, Germany or the USA, to name a few.

In addition, the rate of corporate taxation (with a basic rate of 33.3%) is only 2,5% of GDP. France is the second country to host foreign companies corporate headquaters. In 2002, 16 000 foreign companies were registered in France, this figure places the country in the second european position, after Great Britain.