Business France strengthens its commitment to the railway sector at InnoTrans 2024

Paris, 25 September 2024 PRESS RELEASE Business France strengthens its commitment to the railway sector at InnoTrans 2024 Business France, the public agency advising on the internationalisation of the French economy, will take part in InnoTrans 2024, the leading international trade fair for railway transport technologies, to be held in Berlin from 24 to 27 September. On this occasion, Didier Boulogne, Deputy CEO for Exports at Business France, will sign a strategic agreement with Patrick Jeantet, Chairman of the French Railway Industry Association (FIF), and Philippe Delleur, permanent delegate of the Comité Stratégique de la filière ferroviaire (CSF). This agreement aims to formalise the signatories' strong commitment to cooperating in order to organise themselves as a « Team France Filière Ferroviaire », the purpose of which is to exchange and implement actions to promote the development of the French railway sector, both in exports and in the search for international investors. « Team France Filière Ferroviaire »: a strategic alliance to strengthen the competitiveness and internationalisation of the sector The « Team France Filière Ferroviaire » is committed to mapping priority export markets, with the aim of better understanding global dynamics and identifying new issues, emerging needs and relevant new players. This work will also help draw up an overview of the players present and the French offering in the railway sector. With a view to internationalising the sector, concrete actions will be identified to strengthen competitiveness abroad. Particular emphasis will be placed on technological needs in order to attract international investors and talent, thereby helping to strengthen production and innovation capacities in France, while supporting the sector's decarbonisation objectives. A multi-year programme of events and operations aimed at companies in the sector will be developed for the priority markets identified. Lastly, coordinated communication will be put in place to promote the initiatives of this cooperation, thereby strengthening the visibility and outreach of the actions carried out among French and international companies. « The signing of this agreement marks a strategic step forward for the French railway sector. By joining forces within the Team France Filière Ferroviaire, we are strengthening our ability to win new markets while addressing the technological and environmental challenges of the sector. InnoTrans 2024 will be an opportunity to showcase the innovation and expertise of our companies, while developing lasting international partnerships » stated Didier Boulogne, Deputy CEO for Exports at Business France. A stronger business presence at InnoTrans 2024 At InnoTrans, Business France will showcase French companies under the « Make it Iconic » banner, bringing together more than 80 exhibitors. This France pavilion will be a showcase for presenting French technological innovations, particularly in the fields of smart railway infrastructure, signalling systems and green mobility solutions. B2B meetings and institutional exchanges will also be organised throughout the trade fair, in order to facilitate cooperation between French companies and foreign partners, thereby strengthening their international presence. About Business France Business France is the public agency advising on the internationalisation of the French economy. It is responsible for the international development of companies and their exports, as well as for prospecting and welcoming foreign investment in France. It promotes the economic attractiveness and image of France, its companies and its regions. It manages and develops the Volontariat International en Entreprise (VIE) scheme. Business France has more than 1,400 employees located in France and in 55 countries. In 2023, Business France's support helped generate €3.3 billion of additional export revenue for French SMEs/mid-caps, representing more than 27,111 jobs created or planned. Business France supported 58% of the 1,815 foreign investment decisions in 2023, representing 67% of the 59,254 jobs created or maintained in France. Press contacts: Business France Séverine de Carvalho – Tel: 01 40 74 73 88 - 06 82 23 69 12 – severine.decarvalho@businessfrance.fr Siham Morchid – Tel: 01 40 73 30 74 - 06 59 37 56 87 - siham.morchid@businessfrance.fr