The most active sectors at present are the automotive industry, machinery, chemicals, metallurgy, textiles, food processing and tourism.
The fastest growing sectors, just now, are the electronics, pharmaceutical, telecommunications, aviation and synthetics industries.
Tax bands
Currently, the French standard VAT rate is 19.6%. For some goods – such as food, water, books and transport – there is a lower rate of 5.5%. There is also a rate of 2.1% which applies to pharmaceutical products, magazines and newspapers. This system applies for all transactions effected within France.
The applicable corporate income tax rate for French companies and foreign companies operating in France is 33.33%.
The main French business institution:
