French Minister of Industry Arnaud Montebourg praised the deep-rooted economic and historical relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of France, describing the Kingdom as among the most important partners of his country. During a press conference held at the French embassy in Riyadh today, Montebourg said that the talks with Saudi officials about the peaceful usage of nuclear energy was fruitful, calling for establishing a joint investment fund with the Kingdom to achieve industrial projects and exchange of technology. He said the meetings with officials at King Abdullah City for Nuclear and Renewable Energy was aiming at further deepening cooperation in the fields of domestic nuclear industry. He said his visit comes within the visit his country's Prime Minister is scheduled to make to the Kingdom in the near future. The volume of French trade exchange with the Kingdom in 2011 amounted to SAR 43 billion. The value of Saudi exports to France reached SAR 25 billion, and the value of Saudi imports was SAR 18 billion.
