Up to 100 French firms seek to implement Expo 2030, World Cup projects in Saudi Arabia

Business France indicated that deals will be finalized with major French and Saudi investors on the sidelines of a forum at the end of November. File/Reuters
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Updated 05 November 2025
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Up to 100 French firms seek to implement Expo 2030, World Cup projects in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: Up to 100 French companies are seeking opportunities to implement Expo 2030 and 2034 World Cup projects in Saudi Arabia, according to Business France, the French Embassy’s trade commissioner in Saudi Arabia.

The French firms, specializing in infrastructure, transportation, engineering, and culture, will visit Riyadh at the end of November to participate in the French-Saudi Business Forum, Al-Eqtisadiah reported.

They will explore investment opportunities in infrastructure projects, specifically related to the design and construction of the metro line connecting the airport to the Expo 2030 site.

Business France indicated that deals will be finalized with major French and Saudi investors on the sidelines of the forum.

The French companies will also meet with representatives from government agencies and private sector companies to discuss potential projects in smart cities, transportation, sports, technology, culture, and security.

The French-Saudi Business Forum is as a high-level platform that brings together companies, decision-makers, and institutions from France and the Kingdom to foster partnerships, explore investment opportunities, and strengthen bilateral economic relations, with a focus on Riyadh and its transformation thanks to Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

The volume of French companies’ investments in Saudi Arabia is estimated at approximately €2.8 billion ($3.08 billion), according to what Mohammed Nahad, the French Consul General in Jeddah, told Al-Eqtisadiah last month.

The total value of French investments in Saudi Arabia has reached SR23 billion ($6.13 billion), ranking it ninth among the top investing countries.


Saudi Arabia’s NDF unveils strategic partners for MOMENTUM 2025 conference 

Updated 07 December 2025
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Saudi Arabia’s NDF unveils strategic partners for MOMENTUM 2025 conference 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s National Development Fund has unveiled the lineup of strategic partners for the Development Finance Conference MOMENTUM 2025, as the Kingdom accelerates efforts to build a more integrated development-finance ecosystem.  

The conference, scheduled for Dec. 9–11 at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh, will bring together policymakers, lenders and global development institutions as the Kingdom seeks to expand financing channels for key sectors. 

Saudi National Bank and Arab National Bank are named Main Partners, while Riyad Bank will serve as Banking Partner, NDF said in a press release.  

Bank AlJazira and Saudi Awwal Bank join as Enabling Partners, and public-sector participants include Invest Saudi, the Made in Saudi Program, and the Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions General Authority. 

Riyadh Municipality also joins the list as the host city partner, while Saudi Post is the logistics partner for the conference. 

“Collectively, these partnerships advance the conference’s vision of fostering collaboration among public and private sectors, contributing to Saudi Vision 2030 objectives,” the release said. 

Organized by NDF, this year’s conference is convened under the theme “Leading Development Transformation.” 

MOMENTUM 2025 reflects the NDF’s central role as a principal enabler of development in the Kingdom and as a strategic driver of the national development finance system through its 12 affiliated development funds and banks.  

“Through this conference, NDF aims to align efforts, amplify impact, enhance coordination and integration, and build meaningful partnerships with leaders across the public and private sectors. Together, these efforts are intended to ensure sustainable growth and empower strategic sectors to deliver on national and global development goals,” the release added.  

The program will feature more than 100 speakers from over 120 local and international entities, further underscoring the conference’s role as a national forum supporting the leadership’s vision of building a dynamic financing ecosystem that empowers key sectors. 

Several princes, ministers, senior officials, CEOs, global leaders, development experts, and economists are scheduled to attend the conference. 

The event will spotlight the contribution of the private sector and small and medium-sized enterprises in elevating the Kingdom’s economic growth, generating jobs, and boosting competitiveness.