The Marseille metropolis, born 2,600 years ago out of exchanges and trade, is open to the international arena.

• 70% of exports from the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region are handled out of Marseille and its suburbs.

• 62 consulates, with 23 from Europe , 19 from Africa , 11 from America and Asia .

• 6 international chambers of commerce have headquarters in Marseille – Lebanon , Armenia , Libya , Great Britain and Turkey .

• National and international institutions:

• The French Development Agency (AFD) and its Financial, Economic and Banking Research Centre (CEFEB)

• The World Water Council (WWC)

• The Centre for knowledge on the MENA region (Middle-East and North Africa) (branch of the World Bank)

• Anima, Agencies Network for Investment in the Mediterranean Area

• French agency for the international development of businesses: Ubifrance.

• Mediterranean Water Institute

• Branch of the UNOID (United Nations Organisation for Industrial Development)

• Institute for the prevention and management of urban risks…

The city of Marseille , under the aegis of the European Union, launched a prospective process in 2000-2001. In line with the aims of the European Commission, this study made it possible, in addition to taking stock of the situation, to propose a certain number of options to prepare for the future and ensure that the Metropolitan Marseille Area becomes legible in the Europe of cities.