Saudi-French investment roundtable in Paris highlights new partnership sectors

As part of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman's visit to France, a Saudi-French investment roundtable was held in Paris today. Organized by the Ministry of Investment, the event brought together senior government officials, business leaders, and CEOs from major companies in both countries.

Minister of Investment Fahd bin Abduljalil Al-Saif highlighted in his speech that Saudi-French relations span a century. He noted the alignment between French expertise in technology, industry, finance, and innovation, and the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030, which has driven strong investment flows. Al-Saif stated that French direct investment in Saudi Arabia reached €16.3 billion in 2024, doubling over five years, making France the Kingdom's fourth-largest source of direct investment. French investors currently hold more than 650 investment licenses across 18 sectors.

He added that, under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has become one of the fastest-growing G20 economies, with GDP rising by about 85% since 2017—from around €620 billion to €1.1 trillion last year. Non-oil activities now account for over 50% of GDP, and investment has become a key driver of economic growth and diversification. Foreign direct investment inflows reached approximately €6.1 billion in the first quarter of 2026, up 2.4% year-on-year.

The minister said Vision 2030 has transformed the economy and created growth opportunities for French companies to expand in the Kingdom. He highlighted the resilience of priority sectors, which offer global investors stability and predictability. Sectors such as energy, financial services, digital infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, transport and logistics, gaming, and tourism present significant potential for investment and partnerships.

He pointed out that Saudi-French cooperation in oil and gas extends to traditional energy and petrochemicals, while French companies play an active role in Saudi Arabia's transition to clean energy. This forms a strong base for deeper investment in renewables and related technologies. The financial sector is another important area for cooperation, as Saudi Arabia works to deepen and expand its financial system. The main market is open to all foreign investors, and Tadawul remains the largest and most liquid stock exchange in the Middle East and North Africa.

Al-Saif said that economic growth and the expansion of priority sectors will boost enabling sectors such as financial services and insurance, opening more investment opportunities, attracting new investors, and supporting mergers and acquisitions.

He also highlighted the promising opportunities in gaming and e-sports, noting that average revenue per player in Saudi Arabia is about 7% higher than the global average and roughly four and a half times the average in the Middle East and Africa. The young, highly engaged market provides a strong foundation for developing Saudi intellectual property, content production, and specialized jobs, as well as building globally competitive companies.

He added that turning sectoral cooperation into long-term investments requires a strong regional base. The regional headquarters program has attracted more than 750 companies, including 39 French firms operating across eight sectors. The recent Cabinet approval for foreign financial activities further strengthens Saudi Arabia's position as a regional hub for companies to manage their operations.

Al-Saif invited French companies to identify investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia where their expertise, technology, and capital can contribute, and called on the Saudi side to present high-potential projects, their investment needs, and implementation pathways.

French Minister of Economy and Finance Roland Lescure, in his remarks, emphasized the importance of the strategic partnership between the two countries, particularly in "energy and logistics security." He said Saudi Arabia has proven to be a reliable partner for global energy market stability and serves as a link between the Middle East and Europe in energy and logistics, forming the cornerstone of shared security.

Regarding long-term mutual investment, Lescure pointed to the shared goal of increasing bilateral trade to $12 billion by 2025. He noted that the Public Investment Fund's new office in Paris reflects joint efforts to attract Saudi investment to France and highlighted the alignment between Saudi Vision 2030 and France 2030. He stressed that French presence in Saudi Arabia now goes beyond sales to include joint production.

The meeting included a session titled "Saudi Arabia and France: Partnership for the Future," which explored cooperation prospects and opportunities to strengthen private sector partnerships. Strategic business leader dialogues covered four main themes: financing and developing transformative destinations; enabling industrial partnerships and turning them into actionable projects; developing transport and logistics to enhance economic integration; and building the digital future through artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure.

The roundtable comes amid growing economic and investment ties between the two countries, combining France's strengths in technology, industry, finance, and innovation with the wide investment opportunities offered by Vision 2030. French direct investment in Saudi Arabia reached SAR 63.9 billion in 2024, more than double its 2021 level, making France the Kingdom's fourth-largest source of foreign direct investment. Bilateral trade reached SAR 44.2 billion in 2025.

French companies have an increasing presence in Saudi Arabia, with 651 investment licenses across 18 sectors, coinciding with continued momentum in foreign direct investment, which totaled SAR 23.9 billion in the first quarter of 2026, up 2.4% year-on-year.

As Vision 2030 enters its final implementation phase, partnership opportunities for French investors are expanding in sectors aligned with French expertise, including energy, financial services, digital infrastructure, advanced industry, transport and logistics, gaming, and tourism. This reflects the diversity of investment opportunities in the Kingdom and opens new horizons for high-quality partnerships between the two business communities.