Macron Hosts Saudi Business Leaders to Boost Saudi-French Investments

French President Emmanuel Macron convened a high-level meeting with Saudi and French business leaders on Saturday, aiming to deepen bilateral investments and strengthen collaboration in key sectors. The discussions, held at the Élysée Palace in Paris, were attended by Saudi Minister of Investment, Eng. Khalid Al-Falih, and included 23 CEOs representing prominent Saudi companies.

Focus on Strategic Sectors

The session explored opportunities to enhance Saudi-French cooperation in sectors such as technology, energy transition, and tourism. Both sides expressed optimism about expanding mutual investments to drive innovation and economic growth.

Al-Falih shared highlights of the session on social media, stating that he also participated in a workshop for the Global Green Neighborhood Initiative and engaged with CEOs from leading French companies to explore avenues for joint ventures.

High-Level Engagements

The Saudi delegation’s engagements extended beyond the business roundtable. Al-Falih met with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot at a reception for senior executives from Saudi and French firms. Discussions centered on fostering partnerships to support shared economic and environmental goals.

On Friday, Al-Falih, along with Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah, participated in the second meeting of the Saudi-French Ministerial Committee for the Development of AlUla.

Progress in AlUla Development

The committee reviewed the progress and milestones of the Royal Commission for AlUla, which aims to transform the historic Saudi region into a global hub for tourism and cultural heritage. Discussions highlighted major ongoing and upcoming projects under the Saudi-French partnership to develop AlUla.

Officials reaffirmed their commitment to leveraging the unique cultural and natural assets of AlUla to attract international investments and tourists, further strengthening the region’s economic potential.

Expanding Partnerships

The events reflect the growing Saudi-French collaboration in diverse sectors, with both nations emphasizing sustainable development, cultural exchange, and economic diversification. These efforts align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals and France’s strategic interest in fostering ties with key partners in the Middle East.

As bilateral talks and partnerships progress, the initiatives undertaken during the weekend meetings are expected to yield significant economic benefits and bolster Saudi-French relations.