ECONOMY

In 2005, the GDP for the 3 regions that make up France’s Atlantic front stood at nearly 200 million Euro, which is the equivalent of countries such as Ireland or Denmark. Carried over to the number of inhabitants the regional GDP stands at 25 500 Euro, which is 10% more than the European Union average, on a level with Italy. It has reached the average of the 10 countries in the Euro zone and has seen highest growth rate in France over the last decade.

This dynamism owes nothing to chance: after surviving the industrial crisis of the 1980s that seriously damaged its traditional activities, the Nantes urban area has been able to redevelop a diversified economic fabric.

Strong growth
Today, Nantes’ economy is healthy. Between 1997 and 2005 it generated the creation of over 54 800 jobs in the private sector, which is a growth rate of 30%.

Services, the driving force behind the economy
The tertiary sector, which accounts for nearly 8 out of 10 jobs, has seen a major explosion. Consulting and assistance companies (ICT, business consulting, media), financial activities, operational services and transport and logistics are at the heart of the development of the local tertiary sector.

A successful industrial transfer
At the same time, the industrial sector has been successfully transformed: industrial activities are now more and more technological in nature and innovative processes play a significant role in this. The link between local research and innovation centres and major industrial actors is bearing fruit: Aeronautics, around Airbus, Ship-building with Acker Yards, Materials/Mechanics – and especially composite materials – are the major conductors for local industry. Not forgetting the agri-food industry of course …

As a port city, Nantes is also a major trade centre and with Saint-Nazaire has considerable logistical assets.

Markets
Nantes Métropole: 28 455 businesses and establishments, 275 500 jobs