Business France has announced the appointment of Jean-Philippe Arvert as Regional Director for the Near & Middle East and French Trade & Investment Commissioner to the United Arab Emirates, opening a new chapter in the agency’s efforts to accelerate French companies’ development across the Gulf, the wider Near & Middle East region and the markets covered by Business France’s regional network.
His appointment comes as the region enters a new phase of economic transformation. Large-scale investment in artificial intelligence, energy, advanced industry, infrastructure, healthcare, food security and mobility is reshaping markets and creating new opportunities for international partnerships.
For France, the region is no longer simply an export destination, but an increasingly strategic economic and investment partner. French companies bring industrial expertise, innovation and technologies that respond directly to regional transformation priorities, while investors from the region are playing a growing role in France’s own strategic sectors and innovation ecosystem.
Deepening a Two-Way Economic Partnership
Against this backdrop, Business France acts as a bridge between the two economic ecosystems: helping French companies identify opportunities, build local partnerships and establish long-term positions in regional markets, while supporting investors from the Near & Middle East considering France as a destination for their projects.
Jean-Philippe Arvert brings more than three decades of international experience in trade development and economic cooperation. During his career with Business France, he has held senior leadership positions across several strategic markets,
including Indonesia, Vietnam and Germany, developing extensive experience in export promotion, international business development and economic diplomacy.
His experience across diverse and fast-changing markets has shaped a pragmatic approach centred on local partnerships, market understanding and long-term value creation priorities that will underpin his leadership of the Near & Middle East region.
“The Near & Middle East is entering a remarkable period of transformation. What strikes me is not only the scale of investment taking place, but the speed at which ambitions are being translated into projects. France has the technologies, industrial capabilities and entrepreneurial talent to contribute to this momentum, while investors from the region are increasingly engaging with France’s own transformation and innovation ecosystem.
My ambition is therefore very concrete: to create more bridges, more business and more long-term partnerships in both directions. Our role at Business France is to be on the ground, close to companies and decision-makers, and to turn opportunities into tangible outcomes.” Stated Jean-Philippe Arvert.
From Opportunity to Long-Term Presence
Under Jean-Philippe Arvert’s leadership, Business France will focus on accelerating the expansion of French companies across high-growth regional markets, attracting greater investment from the region into France, and strengthening connections between companies, investors and innovation ecosystems on both sides.
Particular attention will be given to helping French companies move from market exploration to long-term regional presence, while deepening engagement with public and private partners shaping the region’s major transformation agendas.
Through its regional network, sector expertise, business missions, flagship events and tailored advisory services, Business France will continue to turn economic dialogue into concrete commercial, investment and partnership opportunities.
