Latest news with #VisionGolfe2025
Daily Tribune
24-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Gulf, France Forge Innovation Pact
TDT| Manama France and the Gulf countries are entering a new phase of strategic cooperation, one driven by shared innovation, co-production, and human capital, recasting decades-old trade relationships into bold, future-focused economic partnerships. That was the message coming out of Vision Golfe 2025, a high-level forum held at the French Ministry of Economy in Paris, where over 1,200 participants, including 550 Gulf delegates and five ministers, took part in two days of deals, roundtables, and sector-led dialogue on energy, AI, health, and education. From trade to transformation Once defined by oil flows and exports, the France-GCC economic dynamic is now pivoting to deeper collaboration in industrial strategy, digital health, and talent development. France's 17,000 exporters and 2,000 subsidiaries in the Gulf have laid the foundation for a new joint economic playbook. French Minister of Economy Éric Lombard described the moment as 'strategic, human, and forward-looking,' adding, 'I believe our countries can serve each other as platforms to access new markets, especially in a context marked by tension and uncertainty.'
Entrepreneur
23-06-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
France and the GCC Reframe Their Economic Future at Vision Golfe 2025 in Paris
You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Gulf countries are no longer seen merely as consumers, they are now recognized as producers and increasingly, as global innovators, concludes the Vision Golfe 2025. The two-day event hosted more than 1,200 participants, including 550 high-level actors from GCC countries, at the French Ministry of Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty to deepen strategic ties and co-develop the economic future of both regions. The forum hosted five ministers, around 80 top-level speakers, over 2,000 formal and informal meetings, and more than 70 partner organizations, solidifying its position as a premier platform for France-GCC economic collaboration. The total trade between France and the GCC reached €21 billion in 2024, supported by a dynamic network of 17,000 French exporters to the Gulf, a sign of growing bilateral momentum and mutual opportunity. Vision Golfe 2025 was opened by Laurent Saint-Martin, French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad, Didier Boulogne, Deputy CEO for Export, Business France. Five ministers took part in this year's forum, including Éric Lombard, French Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, H.E. Ahmad Al-Sayed, Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs, Qatar, and H.E. Mohammad Alhawi, Undersecretary of the Minister of Investment, United Arab Emirates. Other key participants included Jean-Yves Le Drian, President of AFALULA, Former French Minister, and Special Envoy of the French President for the Middle East, H.E. Dr Nouf Alnumair, Secretary General of the Ministerial Committee of Health in all Policies, Saudi Arabia, Pascal Cagni, French Ambassador for International Investment, Chairman of Business France, Abeer M. AlAkel, Chief Executive Officer for the Royal Commission for AlUla, Saudi Arabia, Shaima Saleh AlHusseini, Managing Director of Saudi Sports for All Federation, Saudi Arabia. "It is of utmost importance to underscore the need to strengthen the ties between the Gulf countries and France," stated Laurent Saint-Martin, French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade. "This summit comes at a pivotal moment, one that calls for a strong reminder to the world of the strength of our existing bonds, and above all, of what still lies ahead for us to accomplish together. Vision Golfe serves as a showcase of our respective strengths." "Economic and trade cooperation is a cornerstone of the Qatari-French partnership," said H.E. Ahmad Al-Sayed, Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs, Qatar. "Over the past five years, our bilateral trade reached approximately €11 billion. Today, the Qatari market is home to hundreds of French companies operating across multiple sectors, including TotalEnergies, Thales, and other key partners." As economic ties continue to deepen, public health and human development emerged as equally strategic pillars of cooperation. "We live in a world where the demand on the healthcare system is accelerating, driven by aging populations, chronic diseases, and increasing costs of care. By 2027, medical costs are expected to grow 7 to 8% annually," said H.E. Dr Nouf Alnumair. "In Saudi Arabia, we have made a clear strategic choice to look at health not only as a challenge to control, but as a value to protect, and a foundation to build on. France has long been a leader in public health innovation through critical research and digital health solutions, and Saudi Arabia brings its scale and integrated ecosystem to embrace reforms and drive innovation." "We offer a rapidly growing population, a digitally native workforce, a tech-savvy generation, and unwavering political commitment," Alnumair added. With 10 sectoral roundtables and 8 keynote speeches, the 2025 edition zoomed in on forward- looking cooperation in Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, energy, water, and waste management, health, transport, agriculture, education, luxury, retail, sports, and tourism. A key highlight this year was the launch of a dedicated panel on education and human capital. Across sessions, the issue of talent, how to develop, attract, retain, and empower it, was central. This included talent strategies linked to Vision 2030 agendas, cross-border knowledge and expertise transfer, French academic institutions expanding in the region to support long-term workforce transformation. One such initiative is the partnership between École Polytechnique and Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) in the United Arab Emirates, a clear signal of France's contribution to the Gulf's knowledge economy. France sees powerful synergies between its France 2030 strategy and the transformative agendas of GCC nations, particularly in renewables, AI, deep tech, industrial innovation, and human capital. These shared priorities offer a strong basis for co-investment, co-production, and long-term joint value creation. "I am convinced that the development of business relationships is a factor of peace and stability" stated Éric Lombard, French Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty. "France is a leading voice within the European Union and a strong defender of building bridges between East and West. I believe our countries can serve each other as platforms to access new markets, especially in a context marked by tension and uncertainty." Beyond trade and diplomacy, social progress and well-being are also emerging as central themes of transformation across the region. "The Federation is a living, breathing example of how inclusion and empowerment is not just a goal but a reality in modern Saudi Arabia" said Shaima Saleh AlHusseini, Managing Director of Saudi Sports for All Federation. "We are not just building a better Saudi Arabia, we are building a healthier, happier Saudi Arabia. Through sports, we are adding an additional pillar to the Kingdom's economy." AlHusseini added. "While the Middle East continues to face significant tension, Business France and its partners remain committed to building bridges, and to building the future" said Didier Boulogne, Deputy CEO for Export at Business France. "We move forward on the basis of trust and mutual respect with our GCC partners: six countries with which France maintains truly exceptional relationships, as demonstrated by our daily work and growing partnerships on the ground." The forum closed with a powerful address by Ludovic Pouille, Director for Economic Diplomacy at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs: "This dialogue is not only economic: it's strategic, human, and forward-looking. Together, we are building the conditions for shared resilience and long-term prosperity." France has also reaffirmed its standing as Europe's top destination for foreign direct investment for the sixth consecutive year - a signal of stability, confidence, and opportunity.
Al Etihad
20-06-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE premier strategic partner: French Trade Minister
20 June 2025 17:43 PARIS (WAM)Laurent Saint-Martin, France's Delegate Minister for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad, said that the UAE holds a top-tier position in France's economic and trade policy in the Gulf region. He emphasised the depth and distinction of bilateral relations, particularly on the economic and diplomatic statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), on the sidelines of the 'Vision Golfe 2025', organised by the French government at the headquarters of the Ministries of Economy and Finance in Paris, Minister Laurent Saint-Martin praised the exceptional momentum in the UAE-France partnership and called for elevating cooperation to new levels, especially in industry, renewable energy, digital economy, and innovation.'The UAE is undoubtedly a priority for France among Gulf nations,' said the minister. 'It is not only a key regional and economic force, but also a modern, dynamic development model that aligns with our vision for future international relations, rooted in innovation, sustainability, and openness.'He added that France seeks to strengthen partnerships with countries that share its strategic outlook and values, stating that the UAE stands out as an ideal partner in this economic ties, Minister Saint-Martin noted that France has maintained one of the oldest and most solid records of trade and investment relations with the UAE in the Gulf region. These ties, he said, are built not on chance or temporary alliances, but on mutual trust, understanding, and long-term respect.'We have worked with the UAE for decades, and we take pride in what our companies have achieved in the Emirati market,' he said. 'Today, we have a real opportunity to expand this cooperation in line with global economic shifts, through innovation-driven, high-quality partnerships.'He urged the business communities in both countries to seize the current momentum and strengthen ties between Emirati and French companies, particularly in advanced technologies, artificial intelligence, and green transformation.'We must move beyond traditional cooperation toward productive, integrated partnerships. Our companies need to collaborate more effectively and cohesively.'On the diplomatic front, Minister Saint-Martin described UAE-France relations as solid and time-tested, backed by continuous dialogue and strategic coordination on multiple fronts, both bilaterally and in international stressed that France views the UAE as a long-term strategic partner, expressing confidence that cooperation is poised to grow further amid evolving global challenges. 'We live in a fast-changing world,' he concluded, 'and global challenges, whether environmental, digital, or economic, require trusted, forward-looking partners. The UAE is undoubtedly one of the most prominent among them.'
Daily Tribune
22-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Vision Golfe 2025 to strengthen France-GCC strategic partnership
As the global economy undergoes major transformation, Vision Golfe 2025 is set to reinforce the strategic partnership between France and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Scheduled for 17–18 June in Paris, the forum will convene senior government officials, business leaders, and investors to explore opportunities in economic cooperation, innovation, and sustainable development. Under the theme 'From Bold Visions to Concrete Impact: A New Era of Cooperation,' the third edition of Vision Golfe will focus on translating strategic ambitions into actionable outcomes. The agenda spans ten key sectors including energy transition, AI, healthcare, smart infrastructure, and food security. Featured sessions such as 'Blueprints for 2030' and 'Innovating for Sustainability' will spotlight joint efforts to tackle climate challenges, drive innovation, and foster resilient economic ties. The 2025 edition builds on the success of Vision Golfe 2024, which drew over 1,200 participants and yielded significant outcomes, including cooperation agreements between MAWANI and the Grand Port of Marseille Fos, and a new 'France Lab' at Abu Dhabi's Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence. France, a leading destination for foreign investment in Europe, aims to position the forum as a strategic gateway for Gulf investors seeking access to European markets. The event will highlight investment opportunities in key sectors and facilitate cross-border partnerships. In 2024, trade between France and the GCC reached Euro 20.9 billion, led by strong ties with the UAE and Saudi Arabia. This economic relationship is further underpinned by shared goals in industrial innovation, education, and sustainable development.
Trade Arabia
21-04-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Vision Golfe 2025 to boost France-GCC ties
Vision Golfe 2025 a flagship event involving government representatives, business leaders, and decision-makers to explore investment, economic exchange, innovation, and sustainable development opportunities in ten strategic areas of France-GCC collaboration, including energy transition. The event aims to catalyze resilient economic cooperation, unlock joint investment potential, and foster strategic projects that lay the foundations for a forward-looking, sustainable, and innovation-driven future. The forum will cover ten strategic areas of France-GCC collaboration, reflecting the breadth of opportunities across sectors: Energy Transition, AI and innovation, healthcare, education and talent, agri-food and food security, smart infrastructure and construction, luxury and retail, sports and tourism, mobility and transport, and investment climate & access. High-level sessions such as "Blueprints for 2030," a ministerial panel charting long-term strategies, and "Innovating for Sustainability" will address opportunities and challenges in Franco-Gulf cooperation, encouraging pragmatic solutions and new partnerships for concrete impact. Vision Golfe 2024 saw record attendance, with over 1,200 participants, including more than 500 from GCC countries. The event delivered tangible outcomes, including significant agreements between the Saudi Ports Authority (MAWANI) and France's Grand Port of Marseille Fos, strengthening maritime trade links, and between Export Bahrain and the French Chamber of Commerce to boost Bahraini-French business relations. Another key highlight was the announcement of a new "France Lab" at Abu Dhabi's Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), underscoring France's commitment to joint innovation initiatives in the Gulf. Building on this momentum, Vision Golfe 2025 will be inaugurated by senior ministers from France and the GCC, underlining the high-level support behind the forum. It will welcome leading voices in government and business, making their perspectives especially valuable for attendees. Beyond being the premier France-GCC business forum, Vision Golfe is also positioned as a strategic gateway for Gulf investors to access the broader European market. France's position as Europe's leading destination for foreign investment was underscored at Vision Golfe 2024, highlighting the country's attractiveness as an entry point to Europe. By convening investors, sovereign fund executives, and innovators, the forum will spotlight opportunities for GCC capital to engage with French and European ventures.
