On Monday, Amazon (AMZN.O) revealed its plan to inject over 1.2 billion euros ($1.3 billion) into its French operations, paving the way for the creation of over 3,000 permanent positions within the country. This announcement aligns with the French presidency’s statement on Sunday, which highlighted Amazon’s commitment, alongside other notable companies like GSK (GSK.L) and Accenture (ACN.N), to unveil significant investments during the annual “Choose France” event commencing on Monday.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) aims to bolster cloud infrastructure in the Paris area to bolster France’s burgeoning generative AI landscape, while also enhancing logistics infrastructure in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, as per the company’s official statement.
The surge in demand for cloud services driven by the rising popularity of GenAI has positioned France as a key hub for AI innovation, with promising startups like Mistral and Poolside emerging. Major players such as Meta and Google have already established AI research centers in the country.
Having already poured over 20 billion euros into its French operations since 2010, Amazon currently sustains a workforce of more than 22,000 permanent employees spanning its cloud and online retail divisions.
Frédéric Duval, Amazon France’s country manager, affirmed, “These job opportunities complement our earlier announcement of 2,000 jobs slated for 2024.”
A portion of the investment will also be allocated towards expanding Amazon’s logistics network, aiming to expedite delivery times and mitigate carbon emissions. With over 35 logistics facilities already in operation across France, this expansion marks another step towards enhancing the company’s operational efficiency.
