Provence Promotion's greatest annual results

Detailed publication of 2021 results

In 2021, Provence Promotion successfully completed 83 investment projects in Provence. A record result in terms of attracting companies with more than 2100 jobs created and maintained in the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metro Area and the region of Arles.

This result was achieved thanks to prospecting missions in France and abroad, customized project support and a network of partners working alongside the agency to find the best location solutions for companies wishing to invest in Provence.

In the Annual Report, you will find the highlights of 2021 and, in the Magazine section, the reason why Provence is such an attractive territory for new companies and entrepreneurs.

The agency's results for 2021 show that the region has remained attractive to investors. It has even been able to stand out and attract relevant investors in a post-crisis context, with 44% of completed projects coming from foreign companies and with the United Kingdom leading the way.

In the healthcare sector, some companies such as Eurofins, which specializes in medical diagnostics, have experienced strong growth during the crisis. Eurofins, which is listed on the stock exchange, has built its new biological testing laboratory in Aix-en-Provence.

Keys Annual Report highlights:

• the continuity of a plurality of projects in six areas of excellence: Digital technology, Green Industry, Maritime-Logistics, Lifestyle, Health-Well-Being, Mechanics-Naval-Aeronautics.
• a significant share for the digital economy (30% of projects) with, for example, Eura Nova, the Belgian leader in AI, continuing its expansion in the region.
• two sectors, Energy-Environment-Eco-Industries & Maritime-Logistics, stand out with the completion of great projects such as the establishment of XPLog in the new logistics platform built by Virtuo and Eranova, a success story from Savoy, which is going to build its pilot plant for synthetic materials made from algae in Fos-sur-Mer.
• a new country, India, enters the Top 3 of foreign investors with 4 projects representing the creation of 115 jobs
• an increase of African projects which reflects the very strong links between Provence and the African continent.

"It's the strategy of the President of the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metro Area to make the region a hub for international companies wishing to establish themselves in Europe and expand into Africa," emphasizes Bernard Deflesselles, President of Provence Promotion, Deputy for the Bouches-du-Rhône and Metropolitan Councillor.

This ambition is supported by the agency's 2022-2024 roadmap through prospecting and promotional actions for the entire territory, especially through a collective program called Influence that has been in place for three years.

The agency keeps involved in the major themes of the future

"In this post-Covid period, let's keep in mind that the territory must and can enter a new era with, in particular, the massive relocation of talent and families, the decentralization of companies from capital cities and the emergence of a highly mobile class of young workers"  observes Jean-Luc Chauvin, Vice President of Provence Promotion and President of the Aix-Marseille-Provence Chamber of Commerce.

Decarbonation and the energies of the future are more than ever at the heart of the region's transformations, with its challenges in terms of industrial production, mobility and innovations to build the Mediterranean city of tomorrow.

Provence with its two flagship cities, Marseille and Aix-en-Provence, has many inspiring places and projects for all companies.