Aix-Marseille-Provence: The ideal launch pad for Indian companies

Provence Promotion and the Port of Marseille Fos strengthened ties with Indian industrial firms

The Port of Marseille Fos and Provence Promotion took part in the Investors’ Day event organized by Business France on December 6, 2023 in Mumbai, India. This event was complemented by four days of prospecting meetings with Indian companies from diverse sectors. It was a superb opportunity to showcase the economic advantages and opportunities of the Aix-Marseille-Provence metro area for Indian business leaders. Marseille is positioned on the route of the new India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) economic corridor presented by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 meetings in September 2023. This strategic location on the new trade corridor is an added benefit for Indian companies that are either already established in Provence or are considering making an investment in the territory.

Provence and India have a long history of trade and friendship that dates back to the 16th century when Marseille was the gateway to Europe for the Indian textile industry. Today, the partnership extends far beyond the textile sector with far-reaching collaborations in research and development, digital technologies, teaching, and industrial activities.

In July 2023, the 25th anniversary of the India-France strategic partnership was celebrated in Paris, and it was the occasion to further develop the long-standing and mutually beneficial bilateral relations between the two countries. As part of the meetings in Paris, a roadmap was established for new forms of economic cooperation between France and India. With this plan, there will be an added focus on innovation issues such as energy sovereignty, green technologies, decarbonized hydrogen production, and sustainable development. Industrial partnerships will also be encouraged between companies to help facilitate the identification and implementation of new industrial solutions.

Investment opportunities in Provence with France 2030

Supported by the €54-billion France 2030 public investment program, France has launched several gigafactory projects that are likely to interest Indian industrial firms and investors. The Port of Marseille Fos is one of the French locations that will receive the most investment under this program, and the port zone will undergo a profound transformation in the coming years as it hosts ambitious projects in the fields of solar energy, biofuels, offshore wind power, and green hydrogen. On-site manufacturers are already adapting their processes to increase their resilience and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Meanwhile, green energy initiatives in Aix-Marseille, such as Masshylia, Hyvence, Carbon, H2V, and GravitHy, are driving a large-scale energy transition. Investments of around €11 billion are planned for the port area, which will create 15 000 jobs. This situation represents a unique opportunity for Indian investors.

At the Investors’ Day event, GravitHy, which is using green hydrogen technology to decarbonize iron and steel production, was presented as a concrete example of the energy innovation taking place in the Aix-Marseille-Provence metro area. As international climate agreements will require iron and steel companies to adopt low-carbon energy processes, a project like the future GravitHy gigafactory in Marseille represents an enormous opportunity for technological partnerships for industrial firms in India, which is the world’s second-largest steel producer.

Investors' Day in Mumbai

The Choose France Investors’ Day event organized by Business France in India was the chance for Provence Promotion and the Port of Marseille Fos to highlight Aix-Marseille’s key role in Franco-Indian economic relations. With a major port on the Mediterranean and digital infrastructure ranking among the world’s top ten connectivity hubs, Aix-Marseille occupies a highly strategic position at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

During his visit to the recent Emerging Valley technology summit in Marseille, Jawed Ashraf, India’s ambassador to France, noted that “Provence is now the ideal place to be connected to European and African markets.” This advantage will be reinforced by the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor, a trade route linking India to Northern Europe via Marseille.

Aix-Marseille, a trusted location for economic development

International companies such as the shipping giant CMA CGM and the aeronautics leader Airbus Helicopters are already using their headquarters in Marseille-Provence as a base for global success and growth.

Similarly, renowned Indian companies such as Electrosteel, a specialist in iron castings, and Infosys, a global leader in IT services, are examples of how Indian companies are flourishing in Aix-Marseille. Electrosteel, which first established operations in Arles in 1955, is currently investing in the expansion of its site, while Infosys is celebrating the 5th anniversary of the opening of its Digital Center of Excellence in Marseille. Pankaj Poddar, the CEO of Electrosteel Europe, spoke at the Investors’ Day event to outline the company’s development projects in Provence.

Academic and scientific partnerships between France and India

Cooperation between India and France is equally important in the scientific field. India is a partner in ITER, the Provence-based project that is bringing together more than 30 countries to demonstrate the industrial viability of nuclear fusion as a green energy source. The Indian industrial giant Larsen & Toubro is a significant contributor to ITER, having manufactured one of the main components of the cryostat, which is part of the largest stainless-steel vacuum vessel ever built.

Through partnerships with Aix-Marseille-University and other higher education institutions in Provence, such as Kedge Business School, Indian students are also taking part in international studies and thus benefiting from new perspectives and opportunities. These types of mutually enriching educational exchanges prepare students for international careers. Increasing the number of Indian students in France from 7000 to 30 000 is a vital element of the new roadmap defined between France and India, which establishes guidelines until 2047, the centenary of India’s independence.

If Indian companies, particularly those currently operating in the United Kingdom, are looking for a base in Europe with prime access to African markets, Aix-Marseille is the ideal location. The territory attracts both students and innovative initiatives from the African continent. Every year, the Emerging Valley tech conference brings together entrepreneurs and start-ups from Africa and Europe, giving them the opportunity to exchange ideas and present their innovations in the fields of digital technology, sustainable development, and tech for good.

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