What economic development agencies are
Investment and economic development agencies are non-profit organizations created by local authorities wishing to have a professional, flexible, and quick-to react tool to help local firms and develop their region's economy
Pluralist boards
The boards of investment and economic development agencies bring together CEOs, local authorities, unions, chambers of commerce, universities, etc.
Professional teams
The teams of investment agencies are made of highly qualified professionals (engineers, sales managers, etc.)
A growing number of investment agencies worldwide
In France, the first economic development agencies were created in the 1950s. Since then, their number has been steadily growing worldwide, particularly in Europe and North America. According to OECD, there are about 10 000 of them.