From a historical standpoint, a rapid survey leads to the conclusion that from the end of the Nineteenth century and the beginning of the Twentieth, the Public Authorities have encouraged the economic growth of the Principality and provided the framework for the development of private enterprise.
The economic activity of the principality takes place along four main lines:
Industrial activity, often little known, but an area which has undergone considerable development in less than a century. From 1906, when the State financed the construction of the first platform in Fontvieille, industrial firms such as the Monaco Brewery and companies involved in flour-milling and the manufacture of chocolate began to settle there. Over the course of the last twenty years, nearly 200,000 square meters of industrial floor-space has been built. The small area of Monaco’s national territory leads to the setting of industrial premises in buildings which rise to thirteen floors.
The Government of the Principality has adopted an industrial policy which operates in favor the establishment of enterprises having a high capital gain factor but which do not create any pollution. The “chemical-pharmaceutical-cosmetics” sector appears to be the most numerous but companies working in the areas of plastic material processing and the manufacture of electrical and electronic equipment are also present.
Other sectors, while they are not on the same scale as those described above, bring renown, originality and technical performance to the Principality; they are to be found in particular in the sectors concerned with printing, electronic materials, textiles and garments.
Industrial activity is represented by 105 establishments and 3,500 jobs. In 2005, they generated approximately 8% of the total turnover generated in the Principality.
The Principality of Monaco today has a diversified industry and yet it is perfectly integrated into its setting and its environment.