Saudi Arabia

Political relations

France’s relations with Saudi Arabia are based on common strategic interests: preserving security in a troubled region, a common commitment to combating terrorism, and a convergence of views on regional crises. The regularity of bilateral official visits demonstrates the robustness of the strategic partnership between France and Saudi Arabia. They help deepen our dialogue in these areas and are a framework of confidence to regularly pass on messages on issues important to France, such as human rights and fundamental freedoms, including those of women, and to unequivocally condemn the use of the death penalty.

Economic relations

France’s exports to Saudi Arabia (excluding military exports) fell by 18.2% year-on-year to €1.82 billion in the first six months of 2018, as against €2.23 billion over the same period in 2016. Our imports, which fell sharply between 2014 and 2016, have begun to grow again since 2017, rising 40.5% year-on-year over the first six months of 2018 to €3 billion (as against €2.14 billion in 2017). This rise in the value of our imports is explained first and foremost by the significant rise in crude oil and petroleum product prices in 2018, which products represented 96% of our imports.

While our trade balance became positive in 2016, France had a trade deficit in the first half of 2018 of €1.13 billion (as against a surplus of €0.87 during the same period the year before), resulting from rising oil prices (10% rise year-on-year in the first half of 2018).

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan offers new prospects for French companies, particularly in the sustainable cities, resource management, health and training, energy and tourism sectors and in investment. To be more attractive, French companies’ projects need to comply with the three criteria applicable to the new economic configuration sought by the Saudi authorities and the Vision 2030 plan: technology transfers, “Saudization”, jobs and training.