Initially a "local supporter", the group intends to support Annecy 2018 financially and operationally, so that the project - which falls within its sustainable development remit - can succeed in the final phase of the international promotion campaign.

After signing the agreement, chief executive Augustin de Romanet, said: "This partnership is an illustration of the Caisse des Dépôts' drive to provide effective and sustainable support for ambitious projects.

"In addition to providing funding and additional staff, our support takes the shape of engineering know-how, especially in the area of protecting the local environment and its heritage through sustainable development, one of our group's core strategies.

"Our subsidiaries - CDC Biodiversité, Egis, Icade, SNI, Transdev, Compagnie des Alpes - will play their part in these areas."

France's Minister for Sport, Chantal Jouanno, said: "The Annecy Bid encapsulates the ambitions and values of our major groups: the taste for challenge, for excellence, the desire to innovate and take on responsibility when faced with new social and environmental challenges.

"Annecy 2018 is a project for the future.

"The Caisse des Dépôts, tasked with serving the public interest and supporting sustainable development in our regions, is a natural partner for this Bid.

"Its commitment has made a major contribution to the new dynamic driving the Bid since January.

"Each time a major group joins forces with us, we send a strong signal to the International Olympic Committee."

Charles Beigbeder, President of Annecy 2018, said he was "delighted with a partnership which is in line with our desire to respect our magnificent natural playing field, linking in with the core strategies of the Caisse des Dépôts, which focus on sustainable and regional development".


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