German company Lenze, specializing in producing frequency inverters, has invested 12 million euros to construct a logistics center in Ruitz industrial zone near Bethun, which will open in late May 2009.

This will become the second European logistics center to supply Western Europe (France, Benelux, Great Britain and Iberian Peninsula). The Northern plant will increase its staff members by hiring 30 new employees at the end of 2008. Within three years, 50 more jobs will be created for operators and electrical engineers. Lenze has 3,200 employees worldwide with a turnover of 587 million euros.

The French subsidiary of Japanese Sysmex, specialized in medical imaging, has set up a new commercial organization providing direct sales, technical service and customer support. To meet the needs of this new organization, the number of employees in Sysmex France has increased from 23 to 55 in the last six months, and its office size has more than doubled. This extension makes it one of the biggest players on the Vitro diagnostics market in Europe.

Icelandic Kaupthing Bank, present in over 11 countries worldwide, announced the opening of an online bank in Paris, which is expected to create more than 20 jobs. Kaupthing Bank is the largest bank in Iceland and employs more than 3,000 employees throughout the world.

The Jetex airline, based in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, has opened a new business aviation terminal in Paris-Le Bourget, thus creating 40 jobs. Jetex plans to welcome its first passengers in October 2008.

Hong Kong-based Asia Minerals is a Japanese company specializing in the production and marketing of mineral products and chemicals, particularly in all manganese processing. To establish itself in Europe, Asia Minerals has created a trade office in Paris, creating 10 new jobs.