$19 Billion Starting Point for Paris-Riyadh Investment in Future Sectors

A French-Saudi Roundtable held in Paris has established an investment foundation of approximately $19 billion (€16.3 billion) as a springboard for expanding economic cooperation into the industries of the future. This initiative signifies a broadening of Saudi-French economic relations beyond traditional investments, aligning with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals for economic transformation.

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An investment base worth €16.3 billion, equivalent to approximately $19 billion (SAR71.5 billion), is serving as a new starting point for Monday’s French-Saudi Roundtable in Paris, where participants are exploring ways to expand economic cooperation into the industries of the future.

The roundtable explored opportunities to deepen collaboration in sectors such as technology, artificial intelligence, energy, advanced manufacturing, and infrastructure. Both nations aim to utilize existing investments as a platform for new projects that will enhance the presence of French companies in Saudi Arabia and create avenues for Saudi capital to invest in promising sectors across France and Europe.

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This foundation comes at a time when Saudi-French economic relations are broadening beyond traditional investments into sectors more closely aligned with economic transformation goals, particularly technology, artificial intelligence, energy, advanced manufacturing, and infrastructure.

French investment in Saudi Arabia is increasingly targeting emerging strategic areas, including artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, culture, and mining. This expansion complements a long-standing French presence in Saudi Arabia's energy and industrial sectors, which currently account for about 60 percent of French foreign direct investment in the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia, as the region's largest economy with a GDP of around €1.1 trillion, offers a stable economic environment and a large, growing market, presenting significant opportunities for French investors.

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French investment in the Kingdom is increasingly targeting new strategic sectors, with French companies entering fields such as artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, culture and creative industries, and mining.

Bilateral trade between France and Saudi Arabia reached approximately €10.1 billion in 2025, marking a 7.2 percent increase from the previous year. France ranks as the fourth-largest source of foreign direct investment in Saudi Arabia, with its investments valued at approximately $16.3 billion in 2024. The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signed in late 2024 has further opened avenues for cooperation in new sectors, underscoring the strengthening economic ties between the two nations.

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Saudi Arabia combines policy clarity, a stable economic environment, and strong economic fundamentals with a large and rapidly growing market.