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France launches new industrial strategy on industrial competitiveness

Due to the changes in the global economy and the knock-on effect on the French economy, France has launched a wide-ranging industrial strategy focusing on the key factors of industrial competitiveness, particularly R&D innovation.

The CIADT (inter-ministerial coordination and development of the regions) announced the several measures to promote the emergence of new competitiveness clusters and to strengthen existing clusters:

• a three-year budget of 750 million euro was earmarked to develop competitiveness clusters
• ministries were urged to allocate 25-30% of their intervention funds to collaborative innovation projects
• businesses participating in collaborative R&D projects could be eligible for exemption from corporate income tax and for lower social security charges

Moreover, the CIADT had decided to launch a call for projects (deadline was in February 2005). The idea was to select a first series of proposals for the creation of clusters in the area of structuring technologies and industrial activities in which France is specialised or has proven potential.

The DATAR (delegation and coordination of the regions) and the MINEFI (Ministry for the Economy, Finance and Industry) recently created a website dedicated to centres of competitiveness. The site contains information on the general policy relating to centres of competitiveness, the new strategies and how they will be carried out and also gives information on the call for proposals.

For more information visit the new website: http://www.competitivite.gouv.fr/