Regions / France-USA-Today
“Paris is EU’s only remaining global metropolis”
In an exclusive interview, Valérie Pécresse, President of the Île-de-France Region al Council, outlines how the region is cementing Paris’ status as a well-managed, business-friendly metropolis and a magnet for global investment.
Valérie Pécresse, President of the Regional Council of Île-de-France
What makes Paris unique?
Since Brexit, the Paris Region stands as the European Union’s only remaining global metropolis. But a true global city is more than a cultural or financial center – it must also lead in politics, economics, and innovation. Paris does just that, excelling on all three fronts.
How does the region support foreign companies setting up in Paris?
Through agencies like Choose Paris Region, we offer comprehensive support to investors – streamlining bureaucracy, accelerating project approvals by 30%, and ensuring fast, efficient market entry. As the best-managed region in France, Île-de-France remains committed to cutting red tape, attracting global talent, and reinforcing Paris’ reputation as a premier destination for innovation and investment.
What are the long-term gains from the Paris Olympics?
One of the most significant legacies of the Paris Olympics is the transformation of transport infrastructure – projects like Metro Line 14 and RER E were delivered on time and now serve as game-changing mobility backbones. RER E line now connects La Défense to Gare du Nord in just 11 minutes, while the forthcoming Roissy CDG Express will provide a 20-minute direct link to Charles de Gaulle Air port, set to further enhance access and reduce car dependency.
The Games also brought a leap in public safety, with AI surveillance, drone integration, and a new centralized security command center – making Paris not only more efficient, but also one of the safest major cities in Europe.
