France Secures €20 Billion Investment at Choose France Summit
| 2025-05-20
French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that the 2024 Choose France summit will secure €20 billion in new investments, marking a record high for the event aimed at attracting international business.
France attracts €20 billion in new investment at its annual Choose France summit, with President Macron highlighting major international projects across sectors.
France has confirmed €20 billion ($22.47 billion) in new foreign investment as part of its 2024 "Choose France" summit, hosted at the Palace of Versailles. The figure, revealed by President Emmanuel Macron, represents the highest amount ever secured at the annual event and includes projects spanning defence, energy, manufacturing, and artificial intelligence.
Now in its eighth year, the Choose France summit has become a cornerstone of Macron’s economic strategy. It is designed to promote France as a prime destination for global companies looking to expand operations in Europe. The initiative reflects ongoing efforts by the French government to reshape the country’s international business image—from a bureaucratic, high-tax economy to one seen as dynamic and open for investment.
Macron, who has personally championed the initiative, welcomed the announcement of a new augmented reality centre in Paris by U.S.-based technology company Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat. “Snapchat chooses France!” he posted on social media platform X. “The new office and augmented reality centre in Paris clearly demonstrate how attractive France is to foreign investors. Thank you!”
Foreign Investment Drive
According to the Élysée Palace, the €20 billion inflow includes more than 50 new projects, many of them led by multinational corporations seeking to deepen their presence in the European market. These include strategic investments in sectors prioritised by the French government such as green energy, semiconductors, and AI development.
While the specific breakdown of the projects has not yet been fully detailed, officials said the investment will create thousands of new jobs across various regions of France.
The summit drew participation from more than 180 business leaders from around the world, including executives from companies in the United States, India, Germany, and Japan. Discussions reportedly focused on long-term partnership opportunities, innovation in clean energy, and digital transformation.
Revamping France’s Economic Appeal
President Macron’s efforts to attract foreign capital have been supported by reforms introduced during his presidency. These include corporate tax reductions, simplification of labour regulations, and investment in innovation infrastructure.
President Macron’s efforts to attract foreign capital have been supported by reforms introduced during his presidency. These include corporate tax reductions, simplification of labour regulations, and investment in innovation infrastructure.
According to the French government, these reforms have contributed to a shift in global perception of the French economy. In 2023, France retained its position as the leading European destination for foreign direct investment, based on data from EY’s annual attractiveness survey.
The Choose France initiative began in 2018 and has since grown into a flagship economic event. The Palace of Versailles setting has also helped lend the summit international visibility and prestige.
The record investment figure arrives at a time when European economies are navigating slower growth forecasts, supply chain adjustments, and geopolitical uncertainties. France’s ability to draw fresh foreign capital—especially in high-tech and green sectors—signals its broader ambition to lead on innovation within the European Union.
Past editions of the Choose France summit have resulted in investments from companies such as Microsoft, Amazon, and Pfizer. This year’s edition appears to continue that momentum, with a strong focus on emerging technologies and industrial resilience.
With global competition for investment intensifying, the Macron administration is expected to maintain its strategy of economic openness combined with targeted incentives for high-impact sectors.
As France gears up for the 2024 Olympic Games and continued digital transition, the government’s ability to secure such large-scale international interest is likely to be seen as both a political and economic success.
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