Africa
Algeria
The People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria is the fourth largest economy on the African continent, with a population of 41 million and a GDP of US$156 billion. Its surface area of 2,381,741 sq.kms makes it the largest country in Africa. Algeria is bordered by Tunisia to the northeast, Libya to the east, Niger and Mali to the south, Mauritania and Western Sahara to the southwest and Morocco to the west.
In 2014, France became Algeria’s 2nd biggest partner with 11.4% of the market, behind China. France is also the largest non-hydrocarbon investor in Algeria. The gradual opening up of its market has attracted many investors, especially from Europe (Italy, Spain, Germany). This competition helps explain the steady erosion of France’s market shares in Algeria. Subsidiaries of French companies (around 450) employ almost 40,000 people, a figure which rises to 100,000 when indirect jobs are factored in (source : France Diplomatie, June 2019).
In order to meet the needs of its customers on the Algerian market, Simon Associés has developed privileged relations with economic and legal partners locally.
Cameroon
Due to its geographical location, the Republic of Cameroon is the natural gateway to Central Africa. The country has close to 24 million inhabitants spread over a surface area of more than 475,000 sq.kms. It shares borders with Chad, Nigeria, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and the Central African Republic (source: France Diplomatie, 2017).
The agricultural and mining resources at Cameroon’s disposal encourage states, particularly among the major emerging countries, to develop closer bilateral relations. Cameroon is France’s largest trading partner in Central Africa, when the oil sector is excluded. Cameroon is also driven by the pursuit of major structuring projects, launched by the authorities and aimed at boosting the economy.
France remains one of the top three investor countries in Cameroon, with the United States and Malaysia. The French presence relies on a hundred or so subsidiaries of French groups, active in the hydrocarbon, agri-food, cement, wood, construction, telecommunications and logistics sectors. The establishment of around 200 SME-SMIs founded by Franco-Cameroonians also testifies to the vitality of the economic ties established between the two countries.
In order to meet the needs of its customers on the Cameroonian market, Simon Associés has developed privileged relations with economic and legal partners locally.
Egypt
The Arab Republic of Egypt is located in North-East Africa. It serves as a bridge between Africa and the Middle East. This country, built around the Nile, is bordered to the north by the Mediterranean Sea and to the southeast by the Red Sea. Egypt is surrounded by Israel to the east, Sudan to the south and Libya to the west. Its surface area is 1.01 million sq.kms for 97 million inhabitants and a GDP close to US$235 billion (source: France Diplomatie, 2017).
Egypt is the second largest economy in Africa with a GDP of around US$350 billion. Its natural gas and oil resources as well as its strategic position through the Suez Canal are its main revenues, despite an attempt to diversify into tourism and industry.
France is one of Egypt’s leading economic partners. Its economic presence in Egypt – made up of 160 subsidiaries employing more than 30,000 people – has also recently been strengthened. French companies benefit from strong positions in the growth sectors of the Egyptian economy: industry, agro-industry, electrical equipment, pharmacy, retail, hydrocarbon exploitation, tourism and infrastructure.
In order to meet the needs of its customers on the Egyptian market, Simon Associés has developed privileged relations with economic and legal partners locally.
Ivory Coast
The Republic of the Ivory Coast has a surface area of 322 463 sq.kms for 24,37 million inhabitants, and a GDP close to US$40,389 billion. The country has considerable economic assets, including infrastructures such as its port (2nd busiest port in sub-Saharan Africa), road network and international airport.
The development of the Ivorian economy is mainly based on agriculture. The primary sector contributes a quarter of the GDP and employs two-thirds of the labour force (source: World Bank, 2017).
Ivory Coast is France’s leading commercial partner, within the Franc zone, and the 4th in sub-Saharan Africa, after Nigeria, South Africa and Angola. France is also Ivory Coast’s 2nd biggest trading partner after Nigeria. The major French groups traditionally present in Africa are for the most part active in Ivory Coast through subsidiaries. Ivory Coast hosts more than 140 French subsidiaries employing nearly 40,000 people and 500 French SMEs incorporated under local law, for the largest French presence in sub-Saharan Africa.
In order to meet the needs of its customers on the Ivorian market, Simon Associés has developed privileged relations with economic and legal partners locally.
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is the fifth largest island in the world after Australia, Greenland, New Guinea and Borneo. Madagascar covers an area of 587,040 sqkm. The population of the country is composed of nearly 26.3 million people, for a GDP of US$ 12.1 billion (source: World Bank, 2018).
The Madagascan economy is mainly based on agriculture, mining, fishing and the textile industry. One of its most famous products is vanilla. China, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, India, Germany, South Africa, the Netherlands and France are the main economic and financial partners of the country.
France has a strong commercial position in Madagascar. Bilateral trade relations have increased by 70% over the last ten years, reaching nearly €1 billion (France is Madagascar’s 3rd supplier with 6.4% of its imports, 4th foreign investor with an estimated FDI stock of €712 million in 2014). French investments mostly target the financial sector, trade, services and extractive activities (source: IMF, DG Tresor, January 2019).
In order to meet the needs of its clients on the Madagascan market, Simon Associés has developed privileged relations with economic and legal partners locally.
Mauritius
Mauritius is located to the east of Madagascar in the Pacific Ocean. Its surface area is 1,865 sq.kms for 1.2 million inhabitants and a GDP close to US$13.26 billion (source: World Bank, 2017).
Mauritius is highly dependent on the tertiary sector (70%), particularly in the fields of tourism, banking and insurance. It should be noted that 90% of the country’s agricultural area is reserved for growing sugar cane.
France is a major economic player in Mauritius being its largest trading partner, its largest foreign investor (with more than 150 French subsidiaries and companies employing nearly 13,000 people), its leading provider of tourists and its second largest investor after China. France-Mauritius trade is mainly in service activities (ICT, commerce and retail, hotels, etc.).
In order to meet the needs of its customers on the Mauritian market, Simon Associés has developed privileged relations with economic and legal partners locally.
Morocco
Morocco is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. This country shares a border with Algeria to the east. It has a surface area of 446.550 sqkm. With its population of 35,7 million, Morocco is the 5th largest economy in Africa. Its GDP of US$110.2 billion comes mainly from tourism and agriculture (source: FMI – World Bank – DNS – CIA WorldFactbook, 2017).
Morocco has been able to take advantage of its exceptional geographical location which has allowed it to establish close relations with Europe and be the port of entry into Africa.
For these reasons, France is Morocco’s largest trading partner and its second largest supplier. Its political stability means it has already attracted the vast majority of CAC 40 companies and subsidiaries of French companies (about 750) employ 80,000 people, not counting Moroccan companies run by French entrepreneurs.
In order to meet the needs of its customers on the Moroccan market, Simon Associés has developed privileged relations with economic and legal partners locally.
Senegal
The Republic of Senegal is the second largest economy in French-speaking West Africa behind Ivory Coast. Its population is 15.4 million and its GDP US$14.77 billion. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Mauritania to the north and east, Mali to the east, and Guinea and Guinea-Bissau to the south, and a surface area of 196,722 sq.kms (source: ANSD – World Bank, 2018).
Given its geographical location and its political stability, Senegal is one of the most industrialized African countries. It has maintained genuine appeal for foreign investors, especially Chinese ones. The main revenues of the Senegalese economy come from fishing, tourism and aquaculture.
France remains Senegal’s main economic partner, whether in the commercial or investment fields. Subsidiaries of French companies (around one hundred) and Senegalese entities owned by French nationals account for almost a quarter of GDP and tax revenues in Senegal and employ nearly 15,000 people in the country.
In order to meet the needs of its customers on the Senegalese market, Simon Associés has developed privileged relations with economic and legal partners locally.
Tunisia
The Republic of Tunisia is one of the economic powerhouses of Africa with 11 million inhabitants and a GDP of US$41.662 billion. It is the smallest state in the Maghreb with a surface area of 162,155 sq.kms. The country is bordered to the west by Algeria, to the southeast by Libya and to the north and east by the Mediterranean Sea (source: FMI – INS, 2017).
Its main revenues come from agriculture, industry and services. The country is also developing opportunities to attract foreign investment.
Because of their common history, France and Tunisia still have a very strong relationship. In fact, France remains Tunisia’s main customer and supplier. Exports from France to Tunisia amount to €3.4 billion while imports total €4 billion.
In order to meet the needs of its customers on the Tunisian market, Simon Associés has developed privileged relations with economic and legal partners locally.
