Jean-Louis Beffa, chairman of French glassmaker Saint Gobain, presented some key recommendations of a report for a new French industrial policy on 5 January 2004. The report was commissioned by the Raffarin government and produced by a working group consisting of high-level economists, union leaders and business CEOs. It will be officially presented to French President Chirac on 15 January.
The main recommendation of the report is the establishment of an industrial innovation agency that should fund large 'national champions' in innovative areas such as nanotechnology, biotechnology or renewable energies.
France would be willing to invest 1 billion euros (revenue from privatisations) into innovative research projects undertaken by its big industries. The agency funds would also be open to other European companies.
The French plans to to stimulate big innovative industrial projects are part of a renewed European debate on national or European industrial 'champions'. A few months ago, France and Germany clashed over state aid to the ailing French industry giant Alstom.
