Team Côte d’Azur presented the 2012 report on business investment decisions in the Alpes-Maritimes during a general assembly, which this year was notable for the new presence of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis alongside the founding partners of the agency – the Nice Côte d’Azur Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Alpes-Maritimes General Council.
The Côte d’Azur seems to benefit from a “microclimate”, and we’re not talking about natural attractions envied around the world, but rather the economic vitality of its areas of expertise, which demonstrates the efficiency of its territorial and sectoral specialization within the regional and European environment.
“Thirty-one projects, including nineteen foreign direct investments, that will contribute to the creation of 544 high-value jobs: I want to acknowledge this 2012 performance, first because the contribution of Team Côte d’Azur to the economic vitality of the region has had an amplified impact on employment this year (+25% compared to 2011), and second because the work undertaken has increased the number of foreign investments in our area (+18%),” reported Jean-Pierre Mascarelli, President of Team Côte d’Azur.
Decline in Europe and worldwide (-18%), growth in PACA and the Alpes-Maritimes (+18%)
According to UNCTAD, global flows of foreign direct investment dropped by 18% in 2012, with a significant decline for developed countries (-32%) and the European Union (-35%), which remains one of the most attractive regions in the world.
Europe’s second-favorite destination after the United Kingdom and ahead of Germany, France fared relatively well: 693 investment decisions were recorded by the AFII in 2012, a very slight decrease compared to the previous year.
The PACA region, however, improved its results in 2012 both in the number of projects (+38%) and jobs created (+55%): it ranks third among the French regions receiving foreign investment projects and places second for R&D centers.
With over 40% of the projects recorded in the PACA region, the Alpes-Maritimes significantly contribute to these achievements. The 2012 report on foreign investments supported by Team Côte d’Azur increased from 16 projects in 2011 to 19 in 2012 (+18%).
It is the European countries – led by the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy – that are responsible for the majority of direct investments in the Alpes-Maritimes; they are closely followed by the United States in terms of the number of jobs generated. The BRICS countries are reinforcing their presence with 4 establishment decisions from China, India, and Russia.
The number of projects coming from French companies, on the other hand, is slightly down (12 decisions versus 14 in 2011).
The sites established and expanded in 2012 are concentrated in 4 high-value-added sectors:
Investments in eco-technologies are once again increasing this year, both in the number of projects (8) and jobs generated (105), and in their contribution to the total (26% of projects, 19% of jobs).
From photovoltaics to innovative materials, including electric vehicles and civil engineering, these investments cover the various branches of a promising industry and attract German, Italian, as well as Chinese and Indian companies to Nice and Sophia Antipolis. Vianord Engineering in Carros is the project with the highest number of planned job creations.
Information technology remains the leading sector in terms of employment, with 46% of jobs generated thanks to 9 projects. Among the major contributors to employment are the new Intel R&D center, the IT services company Squad, and the microelectronics specialist for banking services CELAD.
The services sector hosts the most investments (11 projects) but with a lesser contribution in terms of jobs generated (25%). Notable is the establishment of the Sustainable Design School (40 jobs planned) and Michael Page in Nice.
Finally, 3 international projects contribute to the creation of 60 jobs in the health and wellness fields.
