DUBAI: Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will make an official visit next week to France, expected to focus on culture and investments but also the long-running war in Yemen, sources with knowledge of his plans told AFP.
The 32-year-old Prince Salman "will be on an official visit Monday and Tuesday, mainly to discuss culture, tourism, investment and new technologies," a source close to the Saudi delegation said
The crown prince has been on a lengthy tour of the US, during which he has met with President Tump, as well as former members of the country’s government.
He has also met representatives of the international media including Warner Brothers, when they discussed Saudi Arabia’s plans to open cinemas for the first time in decades.
In March Mohammed bin Salman signed a multibillion dollar investment deal with Egypt’s President Sisi.
He also went to the UK where he held meetings with Prime Minister Theresa May, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and dined with the British royal family.
During his visit to the UK the two countries signed a massive $60 billion trade deal.
Saudi prince to make official visit to France next week: sources
Saudi prince to make official visit to France next week: sources
- Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been on a royal tour since the beginning of March that has taken him to Egypt, the UK and the US
- During his visits to the various countries he has signed numerous deals worth billions of dollars
Saudi hospitality boom sparks innovation beyond the plate
- At the Four Seasons Riyadh, Diageo hosted a private tasting at Tonic Bar followed by a 10-course dinner at Julien
- Dinner at Julien paired dishes with drinks made using Tanqueray 0.0, Captain Morgan 0.0, and Guinness 0.0
RIYADH: As restaurants and hotels in Saudi Arabia refine their culinary identities, beverages are increasingly being treated as crafted experiences in their own right, shaped by technique and intention.
At the Four Seasons Riyadh, Diageo hosted a private tasting at Tonic Bar followed by a 10-course dinner at Julien, offering a snapshot of how this evolution is beginning to take shape, as international players and local venues test new approaches to pairing and presentation.
Speaking to Arab News, Nick Rees, marketing director of Diageo MENA, pointed to the rapid growth of the nonalcoholic segment globally and in the region: “There’s a far faster growing percentage of it (the industry) is non-alcohol … There (are) trends globally … A lot of it will be pointed to wellness, mindful drinking.”
Rees said that Saudi Arabia’s fast-developing culinary and hospitality scene calls for beverages that match the level of excellence seen in kitchens across the Kingdom.
“It’s kind of the lack of choices and that’s where we want to be able to provide people the option, and people here absolutely have the same kind of talent and desire as their counterparts behind the kitchen,” he said.
“That’s where our role is to give people the kind of core ingredients for them to be able to work with … we have many more brands that we would love to introduce to the Kingdom.”
The dinner at Julien paired dishes with drinks made using Tanqueray 0.0, Captain Morgan 0.0, and Guinness 0.0, offering a glimpse into the range of styles Diageo is bringing to the market.
Flavor profiles ranged from light and refreshing combinations with cucumber and capers brine to richer, malt-forward blends, each designed to complement the accompanying dishes, from ravioli to black cod.
Rees emphasized that pairing food with thoughtfully crafted beverages is becoming an essential part of the hospitality experience.
“In the Kingdom, we’re looking at giving people the experience that currently is not available to them because I know for sure that the kind of quality and expertise and craftsmanship that can go into creating some of these drinks is absolutely as exciting as the work that the chefs would do with their food,” he said.
Anthony Abou Haider, head of Gulf at Diageo, said the company sees long-term potential in Saudi Arabia’s hospitality sector.
“It’s such an opportunity to be a part of this transformation journey,” he told Arab News. “We’re not looking for a short-term gain, we’re looking at a very long-term gain here because whatever we do now is building for the future.”
