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The
country, with an annual expected 6, 6 % GDP wants to
diversify its economy, in order to be less reliant
on petroleum
and petrochemistry and to develop among others the
mining resources sector, the water
sector,
transportation (rail), construction,
new technologies as well as the telecom sector and
tourism.
The
Kingdom is open to foreign investments and has
implemented various measures to attract foreign
companies to Saudi-Arabia. (i.e simpler
administrative procedures). Key objectives are the
education of young Saudis (40% of the population is
under 15) and the participation of women to the
workforce.
The
presentation highlighted the fact that France was
one of the few foreign investors who did not manage
to gain any market share in the upcoming projects,
although it benefits from a good image and is
currently the 3th investor in the Kingdom ( after
The USA and Japan) .
French
Companies are already present in strong sectors .ie
banking (Calyon, BNP Paribas…), Insurance,
Distribution ( Carrefour, Geant Casino…) and
farm-produce Industry ( Danone) but many
opportunities remain for French companies in all
sectors and especially in the processing industries
sector.
Mr
Jean-Claude Daupeyroux, Head of the French trade
mission in Saudi, and Mr De Lajugie, Head of the
economic services for the Middle East, strongly
encouraged French companies to
overcome prejudiced ideas and
spend more time in this
potential “ New Eldorado “
to develop and reinforce relevant
relationships.
For
more information about
Saudi Arabia, please consult “ la lettre d’
Arabie Saoudite” :
www.missioneco.org/Arabie
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