In 2006, France's national rail infrastructure authority RFF invested € 2.3 billion in the network. Future annual investments are expected to exceed € 3 billion. SNCF spends nearly € 2 billion annually, mainly on rolling stock, and major investments are also made by RATP.

There are around 1,900km of LGV high-speed lines in France. Substantial additions to the network are planned, and will provide major business opportunities for infrastructure and rolling stock companies. Other developments in France point to a strong market:

• Improvements and enhancements to the existing network continue to create high levels of demand for products and services for infrastructure and rolling stock.
• Rail developments in Paris will see construction of the CDG Express rail link to the capital’s principal airport, expansion of the RER suburban network, metro extensions and tram projects.
• New light rail and tram-train projects are being adopted by a growing number of cities.
• Open access freight operators are revitalising the sector, leading to new investment in equipment and services.
• Liberalisation of the rail passenger market in the European Union from 2010 raises the prospect of new passenger operators running services in France.

SIFER also focuses beyond France: the country’s supply industry is at the forefront of rail technology, with recent successes that include the future supply of complete high-speed rail systems in France and Morocco. At SIFER 2009, 15% of the industry professionals attending the show were from outside France, underlining the position of the event as a prime international venue for the rail sector.