Macron: France to set aside 15 billion euros to boost innovation, relocation

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday that 15 billion euros ($18 billion) will be made available in France’s post-coronavirus recovery plan to boost innovation and industrial relocation.

“In the recovery plan that will be worth a bit more than 100 billion euros, there will be 15 billion euros for innovation and relocation,” Macron told journalists on a visit to a drugmaker near Paris.

He added that 1 billion euros of that money would be earmarked specifically for direct aid to support projects for companies moving production back to France.

Macron said the stimulus plan due to be announced next Thursday would be a 10-year programme designed to make a stronger France in 2030.