Created at the end of 2012, Fer de France is an industry association that unites all the public-sector and private-sector stakeholders in the French rail industry: public authorities, operating authorities, passenger and freight service operators, infrastructure managers, manufacturers and engineering companies. Its purpose is to focus the excellence and expertise of the French rail industry on achieving a set of shared visions and ambitions in France and internationally. Fer de France is also committed to promoting the efficiency and effectiveness of industry partners, including competitiveness clusters, universities, graduate schools and technology research institutes. Fer de France encourages competition as a powerful factor for shared progress. Its commitment to identifying points of convergence between French rail industry stakeholders is implemented in strict compliance with rules on promoting competition, including between its members.