Amazon Web Services (AWS) has confirmed plans to invest more than €1.2 billion ($1.3 billion) in its French operations, delivering a significant boost to the country’s economy and labor market.
The cash injection is expected to create more than 3,000 permanent jobs in the country across various sectors, in addition to the 2,000 jobs the company had recently announced.
The news comes amid the country’s ‘Choose France’ initiative, with other companies including GSK and Accenture also set to unveil substantial investments, and the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris later this year.
AWS and ‘Choose France’
In a statement (via Reuters), Amazon highlighted its plans to strengthen its cloud infrastructure in the Paris region, aimed at supporting France’s growing generative AI sector. The investment will also expand the logistics infrastructure in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
The latest Amazon investment is part of more than 20 billion euros in cash injections since 2010.
Outside Amazon’s four walls, France has built a highly regarded reputation as a suitable country for artificial intelligence companies – startups like Mistral and Poolside have already emerged from the country, while other tech giants like Meta and Google also have their own set up. centers in the country.
Over the past year, France has emerged as a top choice for many AI companies due to its strong research landscape, government support, clean energy initiatives and strategic location in an accessible area of Europe. It joins neighboring countries such as Germany, the Netherlands and Britain as a major destination for technology investment.
In addition to expanding its infrastructure and logistics, part of the cloud giant’s latest investment will also go toward reducing carbon emissions, which correlates with the country’s overall green efforts and the company’s sustainability goals.