Long famous for its wines, Bordeaux also owes its prosperity to a diverse, dynamic economy.

In fact, the economic dynamism of the Aquitaine region and its capital acts as a magnet for high tech activities. The area is now much sought-after for setting up new businesses.

Alongside the region's traditional sectors (agribusiness and the wood/paper industry), other industrial activities and high tech services have developed in the following sectors:
- aerospace
- automotive
- electronics
- health
- telecommunications
- high-level service industries, etc.

Today, the Bordeaux region has undergone strong scientific and industrial growth in such key fields as the life sciences, new materials, imagery and photonics, for which a major programme is under way to accompany the creation of the Laser Mégajoule.

Other important examples are boosters for Ariane rockets, Falcon airplanes, high-performance surgical equipment, femtosecond lasers, and plasma torches.

The region has 4 competitiveness clusters: 
- Route des Lasers 
- Aerospace Valley
- Prod'Innov (nutrition and health)
- Xylofutur (maritime pine trees)

Competitiveness clusters bring training, research and industry together, in a constant search for innovation. Many laboratories at the Bordeaux' University are partners of these clusters.

Find out more about conferences organized in conjunction with the "Route des Lasers" cluster.