Meeting with the delegation of Saint-Etienne, France
On June 5, representatives of the Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs (SUP) will hold an important meeting with the official delegation of Saint-Etienne, France. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss potential areas of cooperation and establish mutually beneficial ties between Ukrainian and French businesses.
Saint-Étienne, located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, is a vivid example of a successful transformation from an industrial center to a center of innovation and design. The city has a rich industrial history in such industries as arms production and coal mining, but today it focuses on innovation, design development and the introduction of high technologies. In 2010, Saint-Etienne became the first city in France to join the UNESCO Creative Cities network in the Design category.
The main sectors of Saint-Etienne’s economy of interest for cooperation:
- Design and creative industries: The city is a recognized design center, which creates the preconditions for cooperation in industrial design, architectural solutions and the fashion industry.
- Advanced Manufacturing: The presence of large industrial companies such as Thalès Angénieux, HEF Group, Clextral, Haulotte Group, indicates strong competencies in mechanical engineering, optics and material processing.
- Medical technology and textiles: Saint-Étienne is a significant center for the production of medical devices and medical textiles (about 60% of French medical textiles are produced in this region).
- Digital technologies: The Saint-Etienne metropolitan area has about 750 companies in the digital sector.
Potential areas and benefits of cooperation for CPS include:
- Market access and finding partners for trade, cooperation or joint investment projects in France
- Exchange of experience and technologies in the areas of design, advanced manufacturing and medical technologies
- Opportunity to participate in joint R&D projects
- Support for Ukrainian businesses in entering the French market
- Promotion of Ukrainian business among the French business community
- Strengthening of Ukrainian-French economic relations
- Gaining experience of business functioning in the EU
It is worth reminding that the Center for International Cooperation of the SUP is a key element of support for Ukrainian entrepreneurs in foreign markets. The goal is to create favorable conditions for exports, provide analytical, legal and strategic support to companies planning to enter international markets or already operating in them.
The meeting promises to be fruitful and open up new prospects for Ukrainian-French economic cooperation.