Saudi-French Business Opportunities Forum concluded here yesterday. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Minister of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia described the Forum as one of the most successful ones, noting that the French government has paid a great attention to the Forum. He disclosed that there is a major development and a quantum leap in Saudi and French investments and said the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia welcomes this cooperation. 'The French side has shown considerable interest in accessing to Saudi projects and contracts in the field of infrastructure, education, and health,' he said. For his part, the French Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Bertrand Besancenot said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that the Kingdom is an important strategic partner to France and it is also the first market for France in the Middle East. He said that the volume of trade exchanges between the two countries amounted to 8.73 billion Euros in 2012, an increase of 13% compared to 2011, noting that France represents the 3rd investing State in the Kingdom and its investments amounted 600 million Euros, in addition to the presence of more than 70 French companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
