ABSTRACT
The Arve Valley defines itself as one of the premier 'industrial districts' in France as well as the world's leading area for the metal-cutting industry. It is a good illustration of how cluster policies have been undertaken in France. The 'Arve Valley' itself is not a local administrative division, but an area covered by several different layers of administration. However, since it is a relevant area for conducting economic policy, it has been chosen as the target for economic policy, or as it is officially called, a 'functional economic area'. Policy-makers at the national level did not want their policies to be seen as 'technocratic', imposed from the top down without consultation with local actors. Regional economic frameworks have also provided localised support for cluster development. The cluster project submitted by local policymakers in the Valley has been selected by DATAR in its pilot operation of cluster policy.
