France's Saudi Investment Doubles as 21 Deals Signed

Paris hosted the Saudi-French Investment Roundtable Meeting on Monday, 24 August 2026, as part of the Crown Prince's visit to France. Organized by the Ministry of Investment, the gathering brought together senior Saudi and French government officials alongside CEOs from major companies.

Discussions centered on expanding French direct investment across energy, industry, financial services, transport and logistics, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, culture, health, mining, and tourism. At the event, 21 agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed between Saudi and French public and private entities, covering potential projects that support Vision 2030 initiatives.

French foreign direct investment stock in the Kingdom reached SR63.9 billion (about €16.3 billion) in 2024, more than doubling from its 2021 level and making France the fourth-largest source of FDI in Saudi Arabia. Over the past five years, French direct investment has grown by roughly 180%, spread across 18 sectors with 651 investment licenses currently in force.

Among the headline deals, agreements between Saudi Aramco and French companies carry a potential value of about $3.7 billion. The Ministry of Finance and France's Bpifrance Assurance Export also agreed on a credit line of up to $5 billion (approx. SR18.75 billion) to finance and refinance contracts undertaken by French firms, focused on infrastructure, urban development, transport, and healthcare.

Trade between the two countries reached about SR44 billion in 2025, growing roughly 7-8% year-on-year. For residents and the business community, the deepening ties signal continued job creation and expansion, with around 30 French firms now basing their regional operations in Riyadh as of mid-2026. FDI inflows into Saudi Arabia reached about SR23.9 billion in the first quarter of 2026, a 2.4% year-on-year increase, with France among the top contributors.

---

Stay updated with the latest news, events, sports updates, business insights, real estate and lifestyle stories on Saudi Living — the leading online platform for residents, expats, and visitors in Saudi Arabia.

Follow Saudi Living for daily updates:

• Instagram - @saudiliving
• X - @saudiliving
• Facebook - @saudiliving
• YouTube - @saudiliving