Industry clusters are geographic concentrations of competing, complementary or interdependent enterprises and industries that do business with each other. All have common needs for talent, technology and infrastructure. Since the 1990’s, local governments around the world have used those, in conjunction with tax and economic incentives, to spur economic growth.
Some of the most famous industry clusters in the U.S. include: North Carolina’s Research Triangle; Hartford, Connecticut’s insurance and finance markets; Hollywood’s film industry; tourism in south Florida; and of course technology along Route 128 in Massachusetts and Silicon Valley, California.
In 2005, France’s new policy on economic development resulted in the creation of over 70 industry clusters across its territory and a phenomenal influx of foreign investments. According to the Invest in France Agency, France was the 3rd destination for FDI after the U.K. and the U.S. in 2006. Already, 7 of these clusters have captured global attention:
Tags: clusters, France, industry, innovation, market entry, Silicon Valley