During his first participation in Vision Golfe, Sultan Al-Musallam, secretary-general of the Federation of Saudi Chambers, reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to strengthening its economic partnership with France in an interview with Arab News en Francais. He stated that France’s strengths in expertise, innovation, and development “fully align with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and beyond,” creating opportunities for cooperation in strategic sectors.
Trade and Investment Growth
This momentum is already producing tangible results. “The sustained growth in trade between our two countries over the past five years is a positive indicator. Bilateral trade increased by 7.8 percent year-on-year, reaching $12 billion in 2025,” Al-Musallam said. Over the same period, French investments in Saudi Arabia nearly tripled, rising from SR7 billion to SR19 billion ($5.06 billion). Today, about 500 French companies operate in Saudi Arabia, with 30 of them having chosen Riyadh as their regional headquarters — a figure that is expected to continue growing.
Sectors of Cooperation
According to the secretary-general, this growth is driven by the complementarity of French and Saudi expertise. “French know-how is well aligned with Saudi ambitions,” he said, highlighting sectors such as MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions), culture, tourism, and the creative economy. Major international events scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia, including Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup, are expected to create new opportunities for cooperation. Al-Musallam pointed to the hotel group Accor, which has a strong presence in the Kingdom and is actively recruiting Saudi talent, as “a model that could be replicated across other sectors.”
Cultural Cooperation and Trust
In his interview, Al-Musallam also emphasized the role of cultural cooperation in strengthening economic ties. Initiatives such as Afalula, along with the inscription of eight Saudi sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List over the past decade, have helped deepen relations between the two countries. “Business relationships can only be built on trust, and trust is built through connections between people,” he said. He also noted that about 16,000 French expatriates living in Saudi Arabia contribute to strengthening this ecosystem of cooperation.
Evolving International Image
The Saudi official also believes the Kingdom’s international image is evolving rapidly. “We still have work to do in helping the French public discover the beauty of Saudi Arabia,” he said, adding that “most people who visit the Kingdom are pleasantly surprised by its hospitality.” In his view, the growth of tourism, culture, and major international events encourages people-to-people exchanges, which in turn foster stronger business relationships.
Support for French Businesses
Beyond the figures, Al-Musallam stressed that the federation’s mission is to provide greater support for French businesses. On the sidelines of Vision Golfe, the Saudi delegation met with the MEDEF, chambers of commerce, and representatives of the French private sector to identify barriers to trade and investment. “We are here to listen. No investment environment is perfect. We want to understand the challenges French companies face and work together to find solutions,” he said.
Private Sector Leading Economic Transformation
This ambition is part of the Federation of Saudi Chambers’ newly launched 2026-2030 strategy, which aligns with the third phase of Vision 2030. “The private sector must lead this next stage of economic transformation,” Al-Musallam said. Today, the private sector accounts for 52 percent of Saudi Arabia’s GDP, a share expected to rise to 65 percent by 2030. “We are on the right track. The question now is how to accelerate the pace,” he concluded.
