INTRODUCTION :
The European Union (EU)
The European Free Trade Area (EFTA)
The forthcoming accession of the Central and Eastern European states
Transatlantic economic relations

A. From the Treaty of Rome to the Treaty of Maastricht

Part 2 - Establishing in France

A. Different Forms of Presence

1- Basic setting-up
a. Setting up without officially registered representation
b. The liaison office : Exempt from corporate income tax and VAT
c. Branch offices : A good temporary arrangement

2- Limited Liability Companies
a. Société Anonyme (SA)
b. Société Anonyme Simplifiée (SAS)
c. Société à Responsabilité Limitée (SARL)
d. Entreprise Unipersonnelle à Responsabilité Limitée (EURL)

3 - French Partnerships and Similar Structures and Non-corporate Contractual Arrangements
a. Société en nom collectif (SNC)
b. Groupement d'intérêt commun (GIE)

4 - Distributorship Agreements
a Distributorship Agreement
b. Commercial Agency Agreement
c. Franchise Agreement

5 - Joint Ventures in France

B. Investment Incentives Available

1 - The "Prime d'Aménagement du Territoire" (P.A.T) granted by the DATAR
2 - The Regional Grant for New Businesses (P.R.C.E.)
3 - The Redevelopment Agencies
4 - Preferential Tax Regimes
5 - Temporary exemption from the Business tax
6 - Tax exemptions are available for acquisitions of ailing firms
7 - National social measures
8 - Research & Development
9 - Local financial support
10 - Export guarantees and financial assistance

C. Conditions Required for Establishing Presence

a. The Export of Capital to France
b. The Export of Goods to France
    (i) Customs regulations
    (ii) Value Added Tax (VAT)
    (iii) Exemptions from customs duty and the VAT
c. The Export of Services to France
d. Conditions imposed on non-EU workers in France
    (i) long-term Visas
    (ii) Business Permits
    (iii) Social Welfare; Employment Conditions

D. Certain Rules Concerning Some Specific Fields of Services

a. Architects
b. Management Consultants
c. Audio-Visual Communications
d. Data Processing
e. Advertising

II. ESTABLISHING IN FRANCE

A U.S. company establishing a presence in any one of the EU Member States will be able to benefit from the freedom of movement of goods, services, capital and people within the EU.

The economic opportunities, enhanced by numerous incentive schemes and the large choice of legal structures available make France an ideal choice when deciding the country in which to establish a presence.

French legislators have simplified administrative formalities in order to bring French business practice more in keeping with principles shared by the world community. The French business environment is similar to that elsewhere in the developed world today, with further particular attractions.