Riyadh: The Saudi-French Business Forum opened yesterday in Riyadh, hosted by Minister of Commerce and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority of Foreign Trade Majid Al-Kassabi and French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness Nicolas Forissier.

According to Saudi Press Agency, Al-Kassabi highlighted the Kingdom's commitment to fostering relations and partnerships with France based on mutual respect, as well as strengthening trade cooperation and expanding joint economic opportunities.

The forum brought together over 230 leading Saudi and French companies to develop trade partnerships in areas such as smart cities, sports, culture, and advanced technology.

Notably, trade volume between the two countries reached approximately $48 billion, with Saudi exports primarily in boilers, machinery, appliances, mechanical tools, and aircraft and spacecraft, while French exports to Saudi Arabia included boilers, machinery, appliances, mechanical tools, and pharmaceutical products. Trade between the two nations grew at an average rate of 15.37% from 2020 to 2024.