France resists crisis. - With 639 foreign investment projects identified last year, almost the same number as in 2008 (641) and more than in 2007 (624), France managed to maintain its attractiveness last year, according to an announcement made by the French Agency for International Investments. With 17% of all projects, the US has lost first position as the main foreign investor, to Germany (18%). Italy in is in third place with 9%, more than double the 2008 figure. In total, these investments will help to maintain or create 29,889 jobs. This figure has, on the other hand, fallen for a third consecutive year in a row and is 6.4% lower than in 2008. The projects are less ambitious and more than half of them involve companies employing a staff of less than 20 people. (I.L./transl.fl)