Artificial intelligence, environment, health… at least 15 billion investments, a record investment for Choose France

Emmanuel Macron, lors du sommet Choose France, lundi, à Versailles. AFP POOL – LUDOVIC MARIN/POOL

Quelque 56 projets ont été officialisés, lundi, lors du sommet organisé au château de Versailles.

At least 15 billion€ promises of investment, the hope of 10,000 jobs created and 56 projects in new technologies, decarbonization, and even health.

180 business leaders came to celebrate a record-breaking Choose France summit on Monday at the Palace of Versailles.

Among the emblematic investments made official, the giant Microsoft plans to spend 4 billion euros; in France by 2027, its president, Brad Smith, confirmed on Monday.

Cloud and Artificial Intelligence

These investments will be intended to develop artificial intelligence and the country's economic growth, he specifies. Emmanuel Macron went to the French headquarters of Microsoft, in Issy-les-Moulineaux, on Monday to welcome the announcement.

Amazon indicated, at the same time, more than 1.2 billion euros; investments and more than 3,000 jobs, intended to develop its cloud in the Paris region and carry out artificial intelligence projects.

"This allows us to better control the data of our companies and our fellow citizens"

"The major digital players are coming to set up their data centers in Europe. This allows us to better control the data of our companies and our fellow citizens", said European Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton on BFMTV/RMC.

The French Sanofi has promised, at the same time, 1.1 billion euros; for the production of medicines, with the construction of a factory in Vitry-sur-Seine (Val-de-Marne), while Pfizer will put 500M€ on the table to move forward on the treatment of cancer and sickle cell anemia, a genetic disease.

https://www.bfmtv.com/economie/choose-france-15-milliards-d-euros-d-investments_VN-202405130469.html

Swiss Holcim also promises an investment of more than 60 M€ in France in favor of the decarbonization of its operations and the circular economy.

An enthusiasm to temper

It should enable the creation of 40 jobs and a reduction of 120,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions, thanks to the commissioning, between 2025 and 2026 several industrial platforms, notably in Port-la-Nouvelle (Aude).

The Mars group, established in particular in Gard, wishes to inject 130 M€ across all of its production sites. Choose France confirms its rise after 13 billion euros; investments announced in 2023 and 10.8 billion euros; in 2022.

But this event is not representative of all foreign investments which have, in truth, declined in France between 2018 and 2022, according to the ;Insee. Its impact in terms of employment is also sometimes overestimated.