Business France is the national agency responsible for supporting the international development of the French economy. Operating under the authority of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Ministry for the Economy and Finance, Business France plays a strategic role in promoting French exports, attracting foreign investment into France, and facilitating the international mobility of young professionals through structured programs. Headquartered in Paris, with offices in over 70 countries, Business France serves as the cornerstone of France’s economic outreach strategy.
Core Business
Business France's mission is built around three core pillars:
- Export Support: Enabling French SMEs and mid-sized companies to explore and grow in international markets
- Investment Promotion: Facilitating foreign direct investment (FDI) into France and supporting the setup of international companies
- International Talent Mobility: Managing the V.I.E (Volontariat International en Entreprise) program for global internships
As the central institution coordinating France’s international economic presence, Business France also works closely with Team France Export and regional development agencies.
Product & Service Offerings
Business France offers a comprehensive range of services tailored to both French exporters and foreign investors:
For French Exporters
- Market intelligence and regulatory analysis
- Trade fair organization and national pavilion coordination
- Business matchmaking with verified international buyers
- Export diagnostics and digital export tools
- Support in accessing public funding and export insurance
For International Investors
- Project consulting and market entry strategy
- Site selection support across all French regions
- Connection to innovation clusters and talent hubs
- Advice on taxation, employment law, and funding incentives
- Post-establishment support for long-term operations
V.I.E Program
- Management of the Volontariat International en Entreprise (V.I.E) program
- Over 10,000 young professionals deployed annually
- Supports internationalization of French firms and talent mobility
Specialisation and USP
Business France is uniquely positioned with:
- A global network of 1,500 employees in over 70 countries
- Strong integration with French embassies, regional councils, and chambers of commerce
- Strategic partnerships with innovation and startup ecosystems including La French Tech
- Expertise across 15+ industry verticals, from agri-food to aerospace to digital tech
Its dual role in export promotion and investment attraction offers unmatched cross-border insight and service integration.
Financial & Operational Impact
Business France has demonstrated measurable success in boosting France’s global business profile:
- 7,400 French companies supported in 2022 with export development
- 1,725 investment projects facilitated in 2022, creating or preserving 58,810 jobs
- France ranked #1 in Europe for foreign investment for the fourth consecutive year (EY Attractiveness Survey 2023)
- Managed €20 billion+ in additional revenue through supported export operations
- Orchestrated over 300 trade show participations and B2B events worldwide each year
International Reach and Engagement
Business France maintains strategic representation through:
- Regional offices in Americas, Europe, MENA, Asia-Pacific, and Sub-Saharan Africa
- Coordination of French presence at top global expos: SIAL, CES, Gulfood, Anuga, Mobile World Congress
- Collaboration with Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) and other EU-level platforms
- Host of the Choose France Summit, a landmark annual FDI event
Target Market
French Companies
- SMEs and mid-caps across all sectors
- Startups in innovation, tech, clean energy, and biotech
- Established enterprises entering new foreign markets
International Companies
- Multinationals and global investors expanding into Europe
- Technology firms and R&D centers seeking EU market entry
- Industrial firms establishing logistics or production bases in France
Business France acts as a strategic facilitator for bilateral business partnerships and cross-sectoral cooperation.
Capabilities
- Sector-specific export consultants and investment advisors
- Proprietary databases and digital diagnostics tools
- National pavilion coordination for trade shows
- Bilingual support staff for legal, HR, and operational needs
- Alignment with French regional innovation and infrastructure networks
Certifications & Governance
- Operates under the French Government framework
- Compliant with EU competition and state aid laws
- Transparent auditing of all funding and support programs
- Public accountability via annual reports and parliamentary oversight
Stakeholder Testimonials
“With Business France’s support, we accessed four new markets in just two years and secured two major distribution contracts.”
– CEO, French Gourmet Foods SME
“The V.I.E program has been instrumental in our international HR strategy. The talent quality and support are unmatched.”
– Global HR Director, French Industrial Group
“Our setup in France was seamless thanks to Business France’s guidance—from site selection to hiring and fiscal incentives.”
– COO, North American Tech Firm
Major Achievements
- Managed over 10,000+ V.I.E placements globally each year
- Helped position France as the leading European destination for foreign investment
- Launched targeted campaigns like "Taste France", "French Healthcare", and "La French Fab"
- Integral to the promotion of France’s green and digital transition sectors
- Drove the success of France 2030 investment strategy, supporting strategic sectors and innovation
Business France continues to serve as a key driver of France’s global economic footprint—bridging French entrepreneurship and international markets through strategic partnerships, deep market expertise, and globally coordinated operations.
