While 2011 showed a 3% increase in turnover and real dynamism in international activities with a growth of +3.5%, in the first quarter of 2012, the departmental turnover remained nearly stagnant. The decline in international deliveries observed over the past two years contributes to this stagnation in business levels for companies in the Côte d’Azur. Permanent employment no longer records positive evolution.
The results remain quite weak for all sectors of activity.
For the Industry, the growth of industrial sales is weaker than in previous quarters. Industrialists benefit from adequately filled order books, but this is not enough to ensure a new phase of growth.
The construction activity remains stable and waits for public orders that could guarantee a genuine rebound. Despite the good business momentum in the maintenance-renovation branch, the turnover of the building sector did not record any progress.
Regarding trade, while wholesale trade sales are significantly progressing, local retail sales are severely penalized. Thus, the commercial sector sees its turnover slightly decrease from year to year.
However, the services sector records a slight improvement in activity (+1.5%), especially the tourism branch, which benefited from better attendance.
The economic areas show contrasting developments, with Carros and Grasse standing out with an increase in turnover of 1.5% and 2.5%, respectively.
As for the major sectors of activity in the Alpes-Maritimes, the turnover of the Life Sciences Cluster stabilizes in the first quarter of 2012 after a rise of +7% in 2011.
The Life Sciences Cluster employs over 9,300 people in 246 establishments, achieving a turnover of 2.4 billion euros. Exports, which are the source of growth, allow for positive forecasts.
The Information and Communication Technologies Cluster stabilized its turnover in the first quarter of 2012 (+1%), with exports and employment remaining steady.
According to Bernard Kleynhoff, President of the Nice Côte d’Azur Chamber of Commerce: «The fundamentals of the economy of the Alpes-Maritimes remain healthy: this territory has the resources to stay competitive. But the order books weigh on the anticipations of business leaders in the Côte d’Azur: the national and European context is evidently felt.»
