Business & Money | Wednesday 11 April, 2018 3:20 am |

French Foreign Minister Jean Yves Le Drian said on Tuesday that his country ranks third in the volume of investments made in Saudi Arabia, coming next to United States and Kuwait.

"About 80 French companies are operating in the Kingdom with creating more than 27,000 jobs for Saudis,” he said while inaugurating the Saudi-French CEO Forum, organized by the Saudi Center for Strategic Partnerships, on the sidelines of the official visit of Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman to France.

Drian highlighted the historic relations between Saudi Arabia and France since 1967, and emphasized the importance of further enhancing bilateral ties in the areas of security, energy, economy, science, culture and technology. The forum aimed to define features of economic investment future and open new horizons of cooperation and partnerships between the two countries in accordance with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

Addressing the forum, Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid Al-Falih expressed the Kingdom’s keenness on the importance of partnership and friendship with France due to its global position and veto-holding seat at the United Nations in addition to its strong economy and technological and cultural potentials.

Al-Falih highlighted the importance of making investments with the French side in the giant projects of NEOM, solar power and Al-Ula Tourism Project.

Then, the panel discussion began with the address of Minister of Commerce and Investment Majed Al-Qasabi in which he highlighted the promising investment opportunities in the Kingdom and the economic reforms in light of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. The minister also emphasized the Kingdom’s efforts in boosting the energy sector.