Franco-Irish businesses upbeat about year ahead while warning of growing operational pressures.
Franco-Irish companies are reporting steadier trading conditions and a rising sense of confidence in the year ahead, according to new research from the France Ireland Chamber of Commerce (FICC).
The Chamber’s 2026 Business Sentiment Survey found that 92% of respondents experienced either stable or improved performance over the past six months, with a similar share expecting improvement in the next year.
“Europe must increasingly look to its own partnerships, strengthen economic resilience and ensure that businesses can operate more efficiently across borders”
The results point to a business community that is broadly optimistic despite ongoing global turmoil. Participants highlighted opportunities linked to increased cooperation between France and Ireland, particularly in green energy, financial services, supply chain and transport.
Opportunities and threats
Chris Smyth, President of the France Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Group CEO of Perennial Freight, said the findings capture a community that is adapting well.
“These findings show a business community that remains resilient and forward looking, despite a challenging global backdrop,” he said.
“Our members see clear opportunity in the Franco Irish trade and investment relationship over the next 12 months, particularly in sectors such as green energy and transport, where collaboration between France and Ireland continues to deepen.”
He added that companies are managing a growing set of operational challenges. “Business remains steady but members are operating under growing pressure. Regulatory complexity, compliance costs and wider geopolitical uncertainty are creating real drag on day to day operations.”
Half of the businesses surveyed cited geopolitical and regulatory pressures as a significant concern. Respondents pointed to the combined effect of issues such as global tariffs, regional conflicts and the increasing pace of regulatory change.
The Chamber said the pressures are not driven by any single factor but by the accumulation of multiple external risks.
Structural constraints within Ireland were also prominent. Labour and skills shortages were identified as the most significant challenge by 62% of participants. Housing and accommodation costs were cited by 50% of firms, while 38% pointed to the regulatory burden as a barrier to growth.
Global uncertainty
Smyth said the findings underline the importance of closer cooperation within Europe.
“What this also highlights is the importance of stronger European cooperation in a more uncertain global environment. Europe must increasingly look to its own partnerships, strengthen economic resilience and ensure that businesses can operate more efficiently across borders,” he said.
“Deepening collaboration between economies like France and Ireland will be essential to building a more self sufficient and competitive Europe.”
The wider economic relationship between the two countries continues to expand. France has become Ireland’s largest trading partner within the European Union, with bilateral trade now 30% higher than in the period before Brexit and the pandemic. Trade in goods reached 14.2 billion euro, driven by chemicals, transport and agri food.
More than 340 French companies now operate subsidiaries in Ireland, supporting over 45,000 direct jobs according to the French Embassy. The chamber has expanded in parallel, now representing more than 170 organisations across France and Ireland as commercial ties deepen.
The survey was conducted between 3 February and 25 February and received responses from 30% of the Chamber’s membership base, covering companies across a range of sectors and sizes.
Top image: Photo by Chris Karidis on Unsplash
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