ع
Investment Minister Fahad Al-Saif delivered the update while co-chairing the Saudi-French Investment Roundtable with French Economy and Finance Minister Roland Lescure as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s state visit to France this week. The Ministry of Investment organized the gathering to foster private-sector partnerships between Saudi and French businesses while exploring fresh opportunities across multiple industries. Al-Saif noted that Saudi-French relations span a century with French capabilities in technology, industry, finance and innovation aligning closely with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives.
French investors currently hold 651 investment licenses across 18 sectors according to the ministry’s records. Saudi Arabia’s GDP has expanded by about 85 percent since 2017 rising from approximately €620 billion to €1.1 trillion last year a government assessment found. Non-oil activities now account for more than half of GDP as economic diversification accelerates.
FDI inflows into Saudi Arabia reached SR23.9 billion in the first quarter of 2026 marking a 2.4 percent year-on-year increase the ministry reported. The minister identified energy, financial services, digital infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, transportation, logistics, gaming and tourism as priority areas for expanded French participation. Saudi-French cooperation already extends across conventional energy, petrochemicals and the shift toward cleaner energy sources the minister stated.
Financial services represent another avenue for collaboration as Saudi Arabia broadens its capital markets with the Saudi Exchange positioned as the largest and most liquid equity market in the Middle East and North Africa according to exchange data. Al-Saif pointed to expected growth in enabling industries such as insurance that would support new market entrants and mergers and acquisitions. He called on French companies to target Saudi projects where their technologies and capital could contribute while inviting Saudi firms to outline high-potential initiatives and their implementation pathways.
The gaming and esports sector demonstrates particular promise with average revenue per player in Saudi Arabia about 7 percent above the global average and roughly 4.5 times the Middle East and Africa mean the minister said. The Kingdom’s young and digitally engaged population supplies a foundation for creating local intellectual property, specialized jobs and globally competitive companies. More than 750 companies have registered under the Regional Headquarters Program including 39 French firms across eight sectors a ministry tally showed.
French Economy and Finance Minister Roland Lescure described Saudi Arabia as a reliable partner in global energy market stability and regional logistics security during the roundtable. He highlighted the alignment of Saudi Vision 2030 with France 2030 noting a shift from product sales toward joint production and reciprocal long-term investments. Lescure referenced the Public Investment Fund’s new office in Paris as evidence of growing two-way capital flows between the countries.
Bilateral trade reached SR44.2 billion in 2025 according to the latest available figures. Data published on bilateral relations platforms placed the French FDI stock with Saudi Arabia at SR69.4 billion by the end of 2024 supporting the observed growth trajectory. Roundtable discussions concentrated on financing transformative destinations, converting industrial partnerships into projects, advancing transportation links and building digital infrastructure through artificial intelligence.
