Approximately €37 billion in foreign investments in France, including €20 billion that are "entirely new" according to the Elysée Palace, are set to be announced on Monday, May 19, at the 8th Choose France summit organized in Versailles. The remaining €17 billion stems from previous announcements concerning artificial intelligence (AI). This record haul was revealed by President Emmanuel Macron himself on Friday, in an interview with the regional press. Last year, €15 billion were promised in Versailles, compared to €13 billion in 2023 and €6.8 billion in 2022.
More than 200 foreign business leaders are expected at the former royal palace, west of Paris, including representatives from BYD, Ikea, BASF, Blackstone and Goldman Sachs. While 40% of the attendees are European, Americans remain the most represented nationality (19%), despite the trade war launched under US President Donald Trump. However, the Elysée has highlighted the presence of Gulf and Asian business leaders as a symbol of France's desire to diversify its economic relationships.
This edition of Choose France will focus on developing sectors like energy, banking and AI – after the AI summit organized in Paris in February, where €109 billion in investments were announced – but also on emerging sectors like tourism and heritage, or audiovisual and cinematic production.
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