Arab News, Monday, May 29, 2023 | Thul-Qidah 9, 1444
Saudi Arabia, France discuss economic cooperation in private sector
Saudi Arabia:
The Federation of Saudi Chambers hosted a meeting between Saudi business owners
and a delegation of 100 French companies, Saudi Press Agency reported on
Sunday.
The two sides were headed by former French Prime
Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin and Mohammed bin Laden, president of the
Saudi-French Business Council.
During the meeting, Raffarin called for greater
economic cooperation between Saudi Arabia and France by providing French
companies with opportunities in the Saudi market. He acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s
pioneering role regionally and internationally.
The meeting reviewed the strategy of the
Saudi-French Business Council and its various efforts, including extending its
membership to 150 people.
Bin Laden said that the council obtained approval
for French residents in Saudi Arabia to join as members. He noted the council’s
role in the development of trade relations between the two countries.
The volume of trade exchange between Saudi Arabia
and France amounted to SR 43.3 billion ($11.46 billion) in 2022, with Saudi
exports to France increasing by 80 percent.