Which industries grew under Jean-Baptiste Colbert’s policies?

Jean-Baptiste Colbert, the French statesman, sought to increase France’s power by reorganizing industry and commerce to reduce reliance on foreign imports and challenge Dutch commercial dominance.1

To achieve this, he implemented policies that fostered industrial growth through several key methods:

• State Manufactures and Private Industry: Colbert founded state-run manufactures and granted privileges to private industries to ensure the production of high-quality goods.1
• Skilled Labor: He actively encouraged foreign workers to relocate to France to bring their specialized trade skills into the country.1
• Quality Control: To maintain high standards, he established strict regulations for manufacturing processes and imposed severe penalties for counterfeiting or poor workmanship.1
• Naval and Maritime Industries: As part of his effort to build a great power at sea, Colbert invested heavily in the merchant navy and naval construction. He provided premiums for ships built in France, established naval schools, and developed major ports and arsenals, such as those at Rochefort and Toulon.12

While his efforts faced obstacles from traditional investors and global economic trends, he successfully established new permanent industries and expanded overall manufacturing output.1