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President Emmanuel Macron announced on October 12 the plan ‘France 2030’, to turn his country into “a great nation of industrial innovation”. The investment of around 35,000 million dollars aims to combine the ecological transition and the construction of nuclear reactors. The program is planned for a period of five years and is presented six months before the presidential elections in which the president will seek re-election.
France aims to be a leader in technology and industries compatible with the environment through an ambitious plan of 30,000 million euros, about 35,000 million dollars, as announced by President Emmanuel Macron on October 12.
‘France 2030’, the reindustrialization plan promoted by the president, aims especially to contribute to the fight against climate change and the resolution of possible new health crises.
“We must fight the battle of innovation and industrialization at the same time” to “reindustrialize” the country, said Macron in the presentation of the program before 200 businessmen, ministers, students and researchers at the Elysee Palace.
The head of state stressed that the program aims to make his nation a leader in green hydrogen in less than ten years in key areas ranging from automobile manufacturing to biomedical innovation.
Macron said the road map, dubbed “France 2030”, would ensure France decarbonises its industry and brings innovation and production in key areas, from cars and biomedicine to semi-conductors, closer to home by the end of the decade.#France https://t.co/X0Nq802X2r
– The Daily Star (@dailystarnews) October 12, 2021
The roadmap will guarantee, says the president, that the French territory decarbonizes its industry and creates innovation through concrete actions such as the construction of low-carbon airplanes, small nuclear reactors, two mega-factories for the production of green hydrogen and a large number of electric vehicles.
However, the program designed to take place over a five-year period received criticism from the opposition, which considers it part of an electoral campaign, as it is presented just six months before the presidential elections in which Macron will seek re-election.
The president defended himself against the accusations and responded that meeting the objectives outlined is essential to ensure France’s key role in the world.
Macron highlights the need for “productive independence” after the Covid-19 crisis
As a fundamental part of his objectives, Macron highlighted the need for independence from France and Europe in the scientific field to face possible new health crises.
Noting the shortage of masks when the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, the president assured that the emergency exposed real vulnerabilities and the crucial need for France to have innovation and industrial production.
“We must rebuild the framework for the productive independence of France and Europe,” he said.
The head of state added that innovation will be key amid global competition for leadership and access to raw materials. “The winner takes it all,” he said.
In addition to the € 30 billion in new public investments, some of which will already be included in the 2022 budget, French bank Bpifrance will invest € 4 billion in startups and innovative companies.
This is all in addition to a € 100 billion recovery plan announced last year to help France weather the coronavirus pandemic, a large part of which went to promote greener energy policies.
With Reuters and local media
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