Supporting French businesses abroad

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Exports are key to the growth of our economy and our companies. In 2018, a total of 125,283 companies exported.

The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs promotes the international development of French companies and supports government action focused on competitiveness, growth and jobs.

In diplomatic posts abroad, ambassadors and their advisers are committed to making it easier for our businesses to access international markets. In 2017, diplomatic posts were working hard on 6,821 projects throughout the network to promote exports among public and private decision-makers. They facilitated the signature of some 100 major contracts (worth over €10 million).

In addition, Business France, which is co-run by the Foreign Ministry, supported nearly 11,000 companies in 2018.

The COVID-19 epidemic triggered an unprecedented drop in economic activity and global trade, resulting in a sharp decline in exports (see detailed foreign trade results for the first half of 2020 here). The essential support required by companies to export, particularly SMEs and mid-caps, is an integral part of the France Relance economic recovery plan set out by the Prime Minister on 3 September with €247 million earmarked for export assistance.

The plan on the Government website: https://www.gouvernement.fr/en/european-aspects-of-france-s-recovery-plan

Updated: September 2020