Economic interest group

An economic interest group (GIE) is a group with legal personality that allows its members to pool certain activities. This structure, which is intermediate between a company and an association and whose sole purpose is to extend the activities of its members, can be used to carry out commercial, industrial, agricultural and craft activities, as well as liberal professions. 

The GIE has the advantage of being subject to very flexible legal rules, particularly with regard to its share capital (it can be set up without capital), its purpose (which may be civil or commercial) and its organisational arrangements. Its purpose is not to make a profit, but it may do so on an ancillary basis, with the profit resulting from the joint action going directly to its members. In practice, the GIE is frequently used for long-term cooperation between professionals.