Macron appeals to MBS for bigger slice of Saudi industrial pie
The two countries signed contracts for the construction of three solar parks in the kingdom by TotalEnergies and EDF Renewables
French President Emmanuel Macron is welcomed by Saudi's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in Riyadh on Monday.(Getty Images)
From Riyadh to AlUla, French President Emmanuel Macron is trying to carve out a bigger role for his country as a partner in Saudi Arabia’s economic overhaul.
Following talks in the Saudi capital with Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman and an array of government officials and corporate executives, Macron was scheduled to meet Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman for dinner on Wednesday in the ancient desert city.
“We want to partner with you, meaning we want to create jobs here,” Macron told a Saudi-French business forum on Tuesday. “We want to be a partner of your vision and the vision of the Crown Prince for 2030.”
The two countries have signed a flurry of business deals during Macron’s visit, including contracts for the construction of three solar parks by French companies TotalEnergies and EDF Renewables in tandem with China’s SPIC Huanghe Hydropower Development Co.