France and Saudi Arabia announce around 20 agreements and memorandums
During the visit of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman to Paris, France and Saudi Arabia announced around 20 agreements and memorandums of understanding. The arrangements cover transport, logistics, energy and advanced technologies.
As Asharq Al-Awsat reports, on August 24 Mohammed bin Salman and French President Emmanuel Macron co-chaired the first meeting of the Saudi-French Strategic Partnership Council. France’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Patrick Maisonnave, said the meeting consolidated long-term cooperation and accelerated the implementation of joint projects.
Trade and investment
According to the ambassador, trade between the countries increased by 11% in 2025, while Saudi Arabia is France’s largest trading partner in the Middle East and Near East. Aviation is the foundation of French exports to the kingdom, while other goods include pharmaceutical products, food, cosmetics and electrical equipment.
Maisonnave also said that France ranks third among foreign investors in Saudi Arabia. The French side expects to strengthen its presence in the kingdom and encourage more companies to take part in major strategic projects, including with the support of large-scale credit insurance mechanisms.
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Ports, transport and technology
As an example of cooperation, the diplomat cited an agreement between the French group CMA CGM and Red Sea Gateway Terminal on the development and operation of Terminal 4 at the port of Jeddah. He also mentioned Alstom’s contract to supply additional metro trains for Riyadh.
Separately, the ambassador highlighted the strategic cooperation between Saudi HUMAIN and France’s Mistral AI. It provides for artificial intelligence infrastructure, the development of advanced models and solutions for the kingdom’s needs, including in Arabic.
Maisonnave also stated the intention to strengthen strategic cooperation in the oil and petrochemical sectors, sustainable electricity production, energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy storage, clean water and peaceful nuclear energy.
