risingSUD and Business France sign an export partnership agreement

On July 6, Audrey BRUN RABUEL, Managing Director of risingSUD, and Laurent SAINT-MARTIN, Managing Director of Business France, signed a cooperation agreement for 2024-2025 aimed at providing better support for regional businesses in their international development. The deal was signed at the Rencontres Economiques d’Aix-en-Provence economic forum in the presence of Renaud MUSELIER, the president of the Sud Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region.

risingSUD and Business France are leading actors when it comes to enhancing the international appeal and boosting the economic development of the South of France. The two agencies already work together through the framework of the Team France Export Sud program to accelerate the growth of regional businesses in international markets. With this new agreement, the two agencies reaffirm the complementary nature of their activities and aim for greater flexibility when pursuing common goals: “We are delighted to be strengthening our collaboration with Business France. This partnership will enable us to join forces to support regional businesses in their export efforts, with a view to raising their profile and accelerating their international expansion, as well as promoting the economic image of the South of France around the world,” says Audrey BRUN RABUEL.

This partnership has already led to significant new projects, such as a BOOTCAMP for regional business in South America (digital programme); a BUSINESS TOUR in Benin scheduled for October; an ASIA BUSINESS TOUR in Japan, Korea, and Vietnam; and a pilot mission in South Africa in November. Thanks to this alliance, companies in the South of France will benefit from comprehensive support, including preparation and export advice before the missions, the scheduling of targeted BtoB meetings in the countries they visit to boost their business activities, networking events, and promotional opportunities.

risingSUD will provide its expertise in advising and supporting companies in the South of France in their international development while Business France will support individual and group programmes on the ground in international markets.

The synergies between the two agencies will optimise opportunities for companies in the Sud Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region and strengthen their competitiveness in world markets.

This expanded partnership places a special focus on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). CSR considerations will be included as an operational criterion for each internationalisation mission, thus contributing to the sustainability, profitability, and performance of companies.

“We are proud to sign this agreement with risingSUD, which marks an important step in our work to boost the international development of regional companies. This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting their growth in strategic markets such as Africa, Asia, and South America. By joining forces, we will optimise their chances of success while integrating responsible and sustainable business practices. This strengthened collaboration is essential for promoting the economic assets of the Sud Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region internationally and increasing the competitiveness of our companies,” says Laurent SAINT-MARTIN, Director General of Business France.

risingSUDcontact: Anne-Charlotte DEBARBIEUX, Deputy Director Attractiveness, Export & International