In recent years, India and France have been making advancements in their relationship, with both governments supporting initiatives to promote trade, investments, and joint projects. As a gesture of the two nations’ cooperation, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to be the special guest of President Emmanuel Macron for the National Day (Bastille Day) celebration in Paris on July 14th.
On June 13th, 2023, Nord France Invest and the Indian Business Club France organized the 1st Regional France-India Business Forum in Hauts-de-France at the Euratechnologies startup incubator. The forum was attended by over 80 people, including a 30-member delegation from the Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI).
The goal of the forum was to provide Indian companies with answers to the challenges they face when doing business in Europe post-Brexit. The event included exclusive insights from two panels discussing the expansion of Indian companies into France, and French companies into the Indian market. Attendees also had the opportunity to network and form new business collaborations between Indian and French companies.
Ludovic Dalleau, President of the Indian Business Club France, commented that the forum was a great success and that it will contribute to the growth and success of businesses in both France and India.
The Hauts-de-France region is an ideal location for Indian companies looking to establish operations in Europe. It is close to five major European capitals, has a large number of international companies (representing 10% of jobs in the region, and even one third in manufacturing sectors), clusters in most sectors, and is the closest continental European region to the United Kingdom.
Artus Galiay, Director of UK/Ireland/India at Nord France Invest, expressed his excitement for the forum and expressed his willingness to assist Indian companies in connecting with the numerous opportunities in the Hauts-de-France region and the French market.