France has solidified its role as Romania’s third-largest foreign investor, with EUR 12.9 billion in direct investments and more than 125,000 jobs supported across strategic sectors, according to the French Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Romania (CCIFER). This deep-rooted partnership is bolstered by over 4,150 French-owned companies operating in Romania and a thriving ecosystem of 600 CCIFER members, ranging from multinationals and SMEs to universities and NGOs.

In 2024, bilateral trade between France and Romania reached EUR 11.6 billion, positioning France as Romania’s fourth-largest trading partner. French exports to Romania totaled EUR 5.3 billion, while imports from Romania hit EUR 6.3 billion—a trade relationship characterized by intra-industry and intra-group exchanges, especially in pharmaceuticals, agri-food, and advanced manufacturing.

Strategic Investments Across Key Sectors
French companies in Romania maintain strong market positions in a wide array of sectors including:

Automotive and aerospace

Energy and energy security (including nuclear)

Agri-food and agriculture

Finance, healthcare, and construction

Information technology and telecommunications

Many of these firms belong to the CAC 40 index, reinforcing France’s long-term economic commitment to Romania. Alongside corporate giants, French SMEs and entrepreneurs are forming joint ventures and driving regional growth through innovation, knowledge transfer, and sustainable business models.

“In 2025, CCIFER intensified the French-Romanian partnership through public-private dialogue, bringing business expertise into strategic areas like nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, and sustainability,” said Nicolas Richard, President of CCIFER. “Building a net-zero future means balancing competitiveness with environmental responsibility and long-term stability.”

Driving Innovation, Talent Development, and Sustainability
CCIFER continues to strengthen this bilateral relationship through wide-reaching economic, educational, and environmental initiatives:

The Business Marathon 2024 reached 16 cities, engaging 200 companies and over 1,000 participants, promoting local investment opportunities.

Through EU-funded workforce programs, 500 young Romanians were connected to jobs and internships.

In Prahova County, the Chamber supported the planting of 23,000 trees, showcasing a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility.

More than 10,000 business leaders participated in CCIFER’s knowledge-sharing events in 2024, fostering collaboration and leadership development.

Looking Ahead: Sectors to Watch
As the partnership evolves, future growth is expected in:

IT and digital innovation

Textile and fashion manufacturing

Electrical and industrial equipment

Green technologies and circular economy solutions

With a foundation of trust, strategic alignment, and economic interdependence, the France–Romania partnership continues to serve as a model for regional cooperation and sustainable growth in Central and Eastern Europe.