Paris Region Sets Sights on Expanding Business and Touristic Ties With India

President of Paris Region, Valérie Pécresse along with Alexandra Dublanche, Chairwoman of Choose Paris Region led a delegation to meet with Indian investors, R&D centers, tech startups & more to explore business opportunities and promote Paris region.

Valérie Pécresse, President of Paris Region, along with Alexandra Dublanche, Chairwoman of Choose Paris Region, visited India early this year, leading a delegation to promote the Paris Region. During the visit, the Paris Region delegation aimed to meet with Indian investors, R&D centers, tech startups and unicorns, as well as banks to discuss Paris’ financial position and business opportunities.

The delegation connected with Indian partners and businesses, to urge them to delve into the fresh prospects provided by the Paris Region regarding innovation and technology, highlighting its position as a European financial hub, academic collaboration, tourism, culture, and cinema, while also showcasing the essence of French lifestyle, cuisine, and culture.

Talking about goal in the coming time, Pécresse observes that the relationship with India is still not strong enough. Paris Region looks at strengthening the ties and boost more movement of travelers to the destination.

Secondly, talking about students, Pécresse opined that Paris region is a great spot for higher education and research, being the hub of innovation in Europe. The region weighs 40% of French research, having accommodated 500,000 students overall and 1300 Indian students particularly in the Paris region. There is an objective given by French & Indian govt. to host 30,000 Indian students by 2030, but its really challenging according to Pécresse starting from such a small number. “We really want to now win the hearts of Indian tourists, students, investors, film-makers, and that was the purpose of our visit. The idea was to meet influential people and opinion makers in Delhi and Mumbai”, revealed Pécresse. In Bangalore, Paris Region signed a partnership agreement with the Karnataka state, as it’s an innovation hub like Paris region.

Pécresse further mentioned, “We also want to change the look that Indian people have on Paris. The idea that Indian people had is as a great fashion city, luxurious, cultural and historical city, but not an industrial or technological hub for research.” The President of the Region and the Chairwoman of Choose Paris Region to facilitate exchanges, establish strategic ties on 2/3 deeptech and innovative sectors, as well as in university cooperation, film culture, and tourism offerings. The delegation took tour of the Yash Raj studios and met with influential film producers in India, and also female producers and directors. “Paris region is a big region for filmmaking, with 150,000 people working in the film industry. So, we are subsidizing 150 films a year, and decided 2 years ago to subsidize international co-production.” Pécresse added.

Paris Region is also preparing to host the first Olympic and Paralympic Games since the Covid pandemic. Choose Paris Region, in its efforts to attract foreign investments and promote tourism opportunities, has enacted strategies aimed at boosting international economic ties and improving the visitor experience for the Paris 2024 games. In addition, the 150th Anniversary of Impressionism is also the highlight of 2024.