FedEx Express has linked up with other companies and organisations to launch a new businessassociation under the name ‘Aerotropolis Europe’ to promote the economic development of the region
surrounding Paris Charles de Gaulle airport.The association’s 11 members plan to invest more than €3 billion in a number of projects overthe next four years, FedEx Express announced. This includes the company’s own investment at itsEuropean air hub at Paris CDG.
Aerotropolis Europe aims to attract investors and businesses to the Paris region and to developthe economic potential of the Roissy-Charles de Gaulle area. The association will help Pariscompete with key cities like London to become a central gateway for the international passenger andgoods market.
‘Aerotropolis’ refers to a new state of urban development which combines aviation-intensivebusinesses and related enterprises extending up to 25 kilometres outward from mega-airports. Theoverall objective is to connect the region’s business and event centres, educational institutionsand entertainment districts to the main transportation corridors of cities as well as createjobs.
“With the largest GDP in Europe, Paris is an attractive destination for foreign companiesseeking to invest and develop their business in Europe and access over 500 million consumers. Asthe largest parcel market in the world, Europe has tremendous growth potential. With the recentexpansion around Roissy-CDG, the Aerotropolis Europe association, with the support of all of itsmembers, has the ability to propel this area onto the international stage,” said Alain Chaillé,vice president, Operations, FedEx Express Southern Europe and president of Aerotropolis Europe.
“Aerotropolis Europe draws its inspiration from the success of its American counterpart,Aerotropolis Memphis, where FedEx Corp. has 35,000 team members and 200,000 jobs directly linked tothe activity of this group. More than 1,000 companies have established themselves in the vicinityof the airport and consequently doubled the GDP of the Memphis area in only ten years,” he pointedout.
First created in December 2009, the Aerotropolis Europe association brings together 11 membersrepresenting private and institutional investors from a diverse range of sectors. Nine projects arecurrently under development as part of the association and are expected to create close to 15,000jobs upon completion.
The association will empower companies based in the Paris region to pool their collectiveinterests and speak with a unified voice to local and national stakeholders as well as to publicagencies. This will help make the region more attractive to investors and encourage otherbusinesses to relocate to the area by positioning it as an excellent destination to live, work anddo business. By showcasing how the region has the potential to become the recognised distributioncentre for high-value goods in Europe, the association will promote the projects through jointactivities including seminars, conferences and direct marketing.
Roissy-CAREX, the project to transport freight by high-speed train throughout Europe, is alsopart of the association. Other members include Les grands champs, a Euro-Chinese trade center,Paris Nord 2, an international business park, Planet France, a complex of offices, luxury hotels,boutiques and restaurants, and World Trade Center – Roissy Paris CDG, an international businesscomplex.
The Aerotropolis Europe association will also foster the development of stronger trade linkswith other Aerotropolis regions in the world, such as Memphis, USA, and Guangzhou, China.
