Greater Paris - the new hub for investment in Europe

The event took place under the patronage of H.E. Francois Gouyette, the French Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates and was organised by Paris-Ile de France Capitale Economique (PIFCE) who also hosted a lunch following the panel discussion.

Attended by a 100 selected invitees, the panel discussion was inaugurated by Thierry Jacquillat, the Chairman of PIFCE and Vice Chairman of the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who spoke about the Assets of Greater Paris and highlighted how it is a strategic centre for international investors and offers diversified and competitive business real estate.

"We are particularly pleased to be in the UAE. We need the co-operation of the business community here as this is one of the most important regions in the world in terms of real estate expansion. I look forward to coming here again to develop the exchange of business opportunities between the French and UAE business communities," he said.

Paris-Ile de France Capitale Economique enables multinational corporations to benefit from close links between French companies and local governments through its network of prestigious partners and members.

The other speakers at this event included Arnaud de Bresson, Managing Director, Paris Europlace, Eric Lafeuille, Regional Manager, Middle East & Africa, Asset Management, BNP Paribas, Paul Boursican, European Director, Jones Lang Lasalle and Frédéric Allilaire, Member of the Management Committee, Mazars. They spoke about rentability of Greater Paris real estate, Corporate Governance, Law and the tax environment, among other topics, and highlighted how Greater Paris is becoming the new hub for investment in Europe.