Foreign trade – Meeting of the Strategic Export Council (30 November 2020)

Franck Riester, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness, attached to the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, held a videoconference yesterday with representatives of nine regional councils, parliamentarians, public and private actors, and industry representatives to discuss the difficulties currently facing French companies abroad as a result of the health crisis.

This 5th annual meeting of the Strategic Export Council assessed the implementation of 13 measures from the export portion of the recovery plan officially launched by Bruno Le Maire, Franck Riester and Alain Griset on September 30. It examined the initial results of this plan and the adequacy of measures taken by the Government since the beginning of the crisis to support exporting companies in light of their needs and current challenges.

The Strategic Council noted the smooth unfolding of the “Export Incentive Check” benefiting small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) and mid-market companies (MMCs), which covers up to 50% of the cost of international deployment. This mechanism continues to grow, with more than 1,000 checks already sent out and a long-term goal of 15,000 checks for SMEs and MMCs.

All the participants welcomed today’s launch of the “VIE check,” a measure contained in the export plan providing a lump sum of €5,000 to recruit young international volunteers, a unique provision in support of company globalization that also assists young people beginning their professional careers.