Dubai, UAE – Business France, the national agency supporting the international development of the French economy led a forum on November 15th in Paris, France, promoting highly successful and lucrative business opportunities into the Near and Middle East. Over 100 economic experts and French company leaders gathered and took part in the panel discussions and workshops,

France enjoys a strategic positioning in the Near and Middle East with over 37,000 businesses exporting into the region from the overall 125,000. The average annual growth in consumers in these markets range from 2.2% to 2.8%.

As an organization that fosters export growth by French businesses, as well as promoting and facilitating international investment in France, Business France has been supporting countless French companies to set up in the region. The forum shed light on Business France’s achievements and contribution in creating awareness on the potential for investing into the region, the opportunities and success factors. The panels discussion ranged from the below topics.  

  • Exploring this region and understanding specific markets

  • How to implement and establish a company in these markets

  • Opportunities generated by these markets despite low oil prices

  • The challenges of the healthcare sector

  • New technologies as key elements of the development strategy

  • The issues and trends of agribusiness

  • How to finance projects in the region

Marc Cagnard, Managing Director of Business France Middle East said in an interview, “There are a variety of large scale business opportunities for French companies in the Near and Middle East, ranging from mega projects like the Smart City in Saudi Arabia to the preparations of the Expo 2020 in Dubai, football cup 2022... The region also presents opportunities for entrepreneurs and is a flourishing environment for startups, this the reason why we wanted to launch a French Tech Hub in the Middle East. As Business France, we are dedicated to supporting French companies looking to establish in the region by providing them the expertise and guidance on how to set up quickly and effectively. Our support will also extend in advisory for the continued success of these companies post establishment.”

Companies which have benefited from the support of Business France were also present and shared their experiences and remarked on their successes in the region. 

Franck Lesueur, CEO of Enekio, a French SME commented, “There are incredible challenges and opportunities because of the drop in oil prices. The 2030 visions of the Gulf countries lead us to rethink our production sources and energy consumption habits. Enekio designs and develops innovative energy efficiency solutions that are fully integrated in these visions, notably for Expo 2020 in the United Arab Emirates and for the Neom project in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Enekio is co-founder of French Efficiency – Clean Energy club and member of the French Eco-Companies Club (Club Ademe International) and will be present to the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi in January 2018 on the French Pavilion.”

The other highlights of the forum included a session on the opportunities and challenges of the healthcare and agriculture industries in the Middle East. Expert analysis, business testimonials, and legal matters were also discussed in the panel sessions. The workshop ended with prospecting funding and advice as well as the signing of an agreement between Business France and the Franco-Arab Chamber of Commerce represented by its director Vincent Reina.

ABOUT BUSINESS FRANCE:

Business France is the national agency supporting the international development of the French economy, responsible for fostering export growth by French businesses, as well as promoting and facilitating international investment in France. It promotes France’s companies, business image and nationwide attractiveness as an investment location, and also runs the VIE international internship program.

© Press Release 2017