French Property Forum

[Johnso]

Nord-Pas-de-Calais is largely industrialized, with 35% of the population working in heavy industry which is now declining. The coal mining as well steel, iron, and metallurgy industries provided employment for a large percentage of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais work force, thus creating a sort of dependence on the region. With most of the plants and mines now closed, the unemployment rates have increased and are significantly higher than the national average since only about 5% of the entire work force had been employed in the agricultural industry. Nevertheless, there is a concerted effort now being made to create new jobs for these workers through the attraction of new investment ventures to the region. This will include grants, tax incentives, low-interest loans and free enterprise zones.