Saudi-French Investment Roundtable Highlights Expanding Economic Partnership
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PARIS, August 24 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — French direct investment stock in Saudi Arabia reached SAR63.9 billion, equivalent to EUR16.3 billion, in 2024, more than double its 2021 level and making France the Kingdom’s fourth-largest source of foreign direct investment.
The figures were presented at the French-Saudi Investment Roundtable in Paris, organized by the Saudi Ministry of Investment during the official visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to France.
Government officials, business leaders and senior executives from both countries attended the meeting, which examined opportunities to convert existing commercial ties into long-term investment and joint projects.
French investors currently hold 651 investment licenses across 18 sectors in Saudi Arabia. Thirty-nine French companies operating in eight sectors have also joined the Kingdom’s Regional Headquarters Program, which has attracted more than 750 companies.
Bilateral trade reached SAR44.2 billion in 2025.
Saudi Minister of Investment Fahd bin Abduljalil Al-Saif said the two countries’ economic relationship combines French capabilities in technology, industry, finance and innovation with investment opportunities created by Saudi Vision 2030.
Al-Saif said Saudi GDP had increased by approximately 85% since 2017, rising from about EUR620 billion to EUR1.1 trillion in 2025. Non-oil activities now represent more than 50% of GDP.
Foreign direct investment inflows into Saudi Arabia reached SAR23.9 billion, approximately EUR6.1 billion, during the first quarter of 2026, an increase of 2.4% from the same period a year earlier.
The sectors identified for deeper Saudi-French investment include energy, financial services, digital infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, transport and logistics, gaming and tourism.
In energy, the existing relationship in oil, gas and petrochemicals provides a base for cooperation in renewable energy and related technologies. French companies are already involved in Saudi Arabia’s transition toward cleaner energy, according to Al-Saif.
Financial services and insurance were also identified as enabling sectors for further investment and merger and acquisition activity. Al-Saif said the Saudi main market is open to foreign investors and described the Saudi Exchange as the largest and most liquid equity market in the Middle East and North Africa.
Saudi Arabia’s gaming and esports market represents another potential area for French investment. Average revenue per player in the Kingdom is approximately 7% above the global average and about 4.5 times the Middle East and Africa average, according to figures presented at the meeting.
The sector was identified as a platform for developing Saudi intellectual property, producing content, creating specialized jobs and building companies capable of competing internationally.
Business discussions at the roundtable covered financing and developing transformative destinations, converting industrial partnerships into executable projects, expanding transport and logistics, and building digital infrastructure supported by artificial intelligence.
French Minister of Economy and Finance Roland Lescure identified energy and logistics security as central elements of the strategic partnership. He said Saudi Arabia had demonstrated its role as a reliable partner in supporting the stability of global energy markets and connecting the Middle East with Europe through energy and logistics.
Lescure also said the French corporate presence in Saudi Arabia was moving beyond sales toward co-production. He cited the Public Investment Fund’s Paris office as part of efforts to attract Saudi investment into France and connect Saudi Vision 2030 with France 2030.
Al-Saif called on French companies to identify Saudi investment opportunities where their technology, capital and capabilities could contribute. He also urged Saudi participants to present high-potential projects, their financing needs and the routes required for implementation.
Source: SPA
