Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to France aims to establish a new Franco-Saudi strategic partnership focusing on cooperation.
The visit won’t solely rely on current standing contracts, but also on future investments in modern technology, said Chairman of the Saudi-French Business Council Dr. Mohammad bin Laden.
"On the sidelines of the Crown Prince's visit to France, the Saudi-French Business Council will hold its meeting in Paris, with the participation of Saudi and French businessmen, to discuss aspects of cooperation in various fields," Laden said.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is set to visit France’s start-up hub “Station F” and meet several CEOs of French companies.
During the period of visit, the Saudi General Authority for Culture will hold a Saudi Cultural Day in Paris from April 9 to 11 to highlight the cultural and artistic features of the Kingdom.
“Saudi Arabia has become attractive to investment because of the laws encouraging investors,” Laden told Asharq Al-Awsat.
Newly formed committees in Saudi Arabia, including the Business Facilitation Committee, which includes 39 government entities for the development of the private sector, are inviting investors worldwide.
Laden stressed that the visit will deepen a comprehensive strategic partnership, achieve desired goals, and boost an even closer relationship between the French President Emmanuel Macron and the Crown Prince.
He added that regional and international events have consolidated Saudi-Franco relations further through having them be actively involved in joint consultation and coordination.
“Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to France will be an important addition to the deep relations between the two countries,” said Laden.
He pointed out that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, visited France in September 2014 when he was crown prince upon the invitation of President François Hollande.
The visit then yielded in a joint statement stressing the importance of further bolstering the strategic partnership between the Kingdom and France to serve common interests of both countries and peoples.
Laden explained that the Franco-Saudi relationship is the first factor of regional stability.
On his assessment of France's vision of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, Laden said that French specialists agree that kingdom’s vision is to diversify sources of income, draw up a comprehensive plan for economic reform and reduce reliance on oil revenues.
“This initiative is a community action that everyone must take part in, especially in areas of developing sustainable cities, resource management, health, training, energy, tourism and investment,” Laden said.
“Our responsibility as businessmen is to explain the new economic plan to investors at the Saudi-French Business Council (Vision 2030) sessions,” he added.
