Events in France 2010 18 February 2010 The Greater Paris Investment Agency launched the Global Cities Investment Monitor, in partnership with KPMG, a yearly benchmark comparing perceptions and reality regarding the attractiveness of global cities. A survey based on a sample of more than 500 global business leaders was conducted by OpinionWay, while investment fluxes were analysed over the last five years. Investing criteria have changed during the crisis: political stability (92%) and economic growth (89%) now dominate. The image of Paris is quite good: the city ranks third (35%) with only New York (41%) and London (42%) ahead. Regarding attractiveness, Asia rises, with 5 cities in the Top 10. Mumbai is posed to become the favourite destination of international investors over the next three years. Paris is also well ranked regarding real investments: fourth in the world in 2008-9, third over the last five years. In the Top 5 cities, only Hong-Kong is more dynamic. London leads with 270 projects (191 in Paris). Paris is the fastest growing top metropolis for research centres; it is now globally in third position – in pole position at European level. Headquarters (+175% in 2008-9) are also a strong asset: Paris is ranked fourth worldwide regarding these strategic investments. Download the Press Release 21 January 2010 Seizing the opportunity of the official visit in Paris of Saad Hariri, Lebanese Prime Minister, Chiara Corazza, Managing Director, invited Mrs Raya Haffar El Hassan, Minister of Finance and 1st women to obtain such position in the Arab countries, around a breakfast in presence of French businesswomen. 2009 21 October 2009 Annual working luncheon in honour of the new Ambassador of the USA in Paris, Charles H. Rivkin,in order to discuss the new political environment since the election of Barack Obama, the depreciation of the dollar and the US relations with China, Russia and Iran, … 19 October 2009 On the occasion of the launch of the French-Bahrain Business Council by Pierre Simon, Chairman of the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Naser M. Y. Al Belooshi, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Paris, and in presence of Anne-Marie Idrac, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, the Greater Paris Investment Agency invited some of its members particularly interested in exchanges with this country to meet Dr Hassan Abdullah Fakhro, Bahraini Minister of Commerce and Industr,y in order to discuss the economic orientation of the Kingdom as well as the next mission the Greater Paris Investment Agency plans to organise at the beginning of 2010. 15-17 October 2009 Participation to the 5th Edition of the Women’s Forum Global Meeting which was held in Deauville and which gathered over 1000 participants from over 80 countries, representing 500 organizations. under the theme “Think again, Think ahead! It is time for action, change and hope”. Thanks to its good introduction with top Arab Businesswomen, the Greater Paris Investment Agency provided support to the Women’s Forum to invite an Official Delegation from the Middle East composed of 40 leading and remarkbale women from business, NGOs, political circle, academia, sciences and technology, the arts and media.