In the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and President Emmanuel Macron of the French Republic, the Saudi-French Investment Roundtable Meeting was held today in the French capital, Paris.
The meeting was organized by the Ministry of Investment, with the participation of several senior officials, business leaders, and chief executives of major companies and institutions from both countries, to strengthen investment partnerships, explore joint opportunities in priority sectors, and expand cooperation between the business communities of the two countries.
The meeting included a session titled “Discussing Future Prospects and Joint Projects,” with the participation of the chairmen of the Saudi-French Business Council. The session addressed avenues of cooperation and opportunities to strengthen partnerships between the private sectors of the two countries.
Strategic dialogues for business leaders also focused on four key themes: financing and developing transformative destinations; enabling industrial partnerships and translating them into actionable projects; developing the transport and logistic sectors to enhance economic integration; and shaping the digital future through AI and digital infrastructure.
The meeting saw the announcement of 21 agreements and memoranda of understanding between public- and private-sector entities from both countries, covering energy, industry, financial services, transport and logistics, artificial intelligence, culture, health, and tourism. These agreements highlight the breadth of cooperation and investment opportunities between Saudi Arabia and France.
Relations between Saudi Arabia and France date back to 1926 and have remained strong, providing a supportive framework for investors in both countries. They have since expanded across various fields, culminating in the signing of a strategic partnership roadmap and the establishment of the Strategic Partnership Council in December 2024, opening broader avenues for cooperation in new sectors.
The partnership continues to grow amid expanding economic and investment ties between the two countries, supported by the complementarity between France’s expertise in technology, industry, finance, and innovation and the wide-ranging investment opportunities offered by Saudi Vision 2030. French foreign direct investment (FDI) stock in the Kingdom reached SAR63.9 billion in 2024, more than double its 2021 level, making France the fourth-largest source of FDI in the Kingdom. Meanwhile, trade between the two countries reached SAR44.2 billion in 2025.
The Kingdom is seeing a growing presence of French companies, with 651 investment licenses across 18 sectors. FDI inflows reached approximately SAR23.9 billion in the first quarter of 2026, up 2.4% year on year. The Kingdom provides a stable regulatory, economic, and financial environment, while clear development plans offer investors greater visibility into the economy’s trajectory and prospects. Strong economic fundamentals further support long-term growth and investment.
Saudi Vision 2030 reinforces economic diversification as a long-term national priority. The National Investment Strategy aims to stimulate and attract investments, while sector-specific strategies create opportunities across value chains.
Source: Riyadh Daily