Private equity investment levels in France are back to the pre-boom levels of 1999, according to the latest figures from l'Association Francaise des Investisseurs en Capital (Afic), France's private equity trade association.

Preliminary statistics for the calendar year 2001 reveal that a total of €2.7bn was invested in French private equity, representing a 46% fall on the record levels for 2000 and just short of the €2.8bn invested in 1999.