Latest news with #GulfVision2025
Kuwait Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
France eyes deeper ties with Kuwait at Gulf Vision 2025
PARIS: The third edition of the Gulf Vision 2025 conference officially opened Tuesday in Paris, bringing together officials from Gulf and French governments, alongside business leaders, innovators, and policymakers. The event, held under the patronage of French President Emmanuel Macron, aims to usher in 'a new era of cooperation' between France and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, with Kuwait actively participating through its Embassy in France. Organized by Business France, the two-day forum is themed 'From Ambitious Visions to Tangible Impact: A New Era of Cooperation.' It serves as a strategic platform to deepen economic ties in the face of global economic transformations and mutual efforts to build more integrated, diversified economies. Kuwait plays a natural strategic role in this context, said Axel Baroux, Business France's Director for the Near and Middle East, in an interview with KUNA. He noted that Kuwait Vision 2035 aligns closely with France's 2030 Roadmap, highlighting the potential for joint economic transformation. 'The 2025 edition represents a turning point in economic relations between France and the GCC,' he said. 'By linking France 2030 with Gulf visions and transforming dialogue into concrete cooperation and actionable projects.' Baroux emphasized that the event offers direct access for French companies to GCC decision-makers and vice versa, paving the way for long-term, high-impact partnerships. The idea 'is to turn networking into contracts,' he added. The conference also aims to 'serve as a bridge for Gulf capital, including from Kuwait, into Europe.' A growing economic relationship According to Baroux, France is currently Kuwait's top European investor and the eighth globally, with major roles in energy, infrastructure, and transport. More than 50 percent of European companies operating in Kuwait are French, collectively employing over 2,100 people. He added that cooperation is expanding into sectors like healthcare, education, services, and green technology, all of which align with Kuwait's economic diversification goals. France is Kuwait's fourth-largest customer and tenth-largest supplier. The conference's agenda reflects shared priorities, including renewable energy, artificial intelligence, sustainable agriculture, smart infrastructure, and education. Top French officials attended the conference's opening ceremony, including Laurent Saint-Martin, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, former Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, and Pascal Cagni, Chairman of the board of Business France. They highlighted the growing need for joint action in energy transition, AI, healthcare, and talent development. Kuwait projects in focus For Kuwaiti stakeholders, the event spotlights development opportunities in areas such as airports, ports, solar energy, recycling, AI, vocational education, and smart agriculture. Baroux highlighted health as a sector where France can play a transformative role. 'Kuwait's health sector accounts for 5.1 percent of its GDP and has seen major investments in infrastructure, prevention, and treatment—areas where France has strong technical and industrial expertise,' he said. Baroux added that Business France provides Kuwaiti companies with specialized advisors to support entry into the French market, offering legal and financial consultation, matchmaking, and links to research centers. Baroux concluded with an invitation to Kuwaiti investors and decision-makers, encouraging them to join 'the ambitious and open economic dialogue' offered by Gulf Vision 2025. 'France is committed to long-term partnerships grounded in innovation and shared development,' he said.
Arab Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Arab Times
Gulf Vision 2025 Conference to enhance strategic cooperation: French official
PARIS, France, June 16: France will host the Gulf Vision 2025 conference on June 17–18 in Paris under the patronage of French President Emmanuel Macron, aiming to deepen economic cooperation and forge long-term partnerships between Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries — especially Kuwait — and France. In an interview with KUNA, Axel Baroux, Regional Managing Director for the Near and Middle East at Business France, emphasized that the upcoming conference will serve as a pivotal platform to promote strategic collaboration. The event will bring together ministers, investors, industry leaders, and innovators to foster partnerships in sectors such as energy transition, healthcare, artificial intelligence, sustainable agriculture, transportation, tourism, and education. Baroux highlighted the alignment between Kuwait Vision 2035 and France 2030, stressing that both countries are focused on sustainable innovation and economic diversification. He noted that Kuwait has played a significant role in previous editions of the conference, reflecting mutual interest in enhancing bilateral ties. The 2025 edition is expected to mark a turning point in Gulf–France economic relations. By facilitating direct engagement between French companies and Gulf decision-makers, the conference aims to move beyond dialogue to practical agreements and projects. France is currently the leading European investor and the eighth-largest global investor in Kuwait. More than half of the European companies operating in Kuwait are French, providing over 2,100 job opportunities, particularly in infrastructure, transportation, energy, and health. Baroux pointed to the growing cooperation in healthcare, education, green technology, and services, aligned with Kuwait's strategy to diversify its economy. He added that France's presence in Kuwait spans 89 companies across key sectors including luxury, cosmetics, food, and infrastructure. Business France, the conference organizer, works with approximately 2,000 French companies annually across the Gulf. It offers support in B2B matchmaking, market research, startup facilitation, and talent mobility. The agency also assists Kuwaiti firms looking to enter the French market by offering consulting, legal, and financial services, and access to government and research institutions. Calling on Kuwaiti investors and decision-makers to participate in Gulf Vision 2025, Baroux underscored the importance of turning conversations into concrete collaborations. Specific focus areas for Kuwait include health infrastructure, solar and renewable energy, water and waste management, AI, smart agriculture, and vocational training. The event will feature high-level sessions, including a "2030 Plans" ministerial roundtable and an 'Innovation for Sustainability' dialogue exploring resource management and future technologies. Baroux concluded by reiterating France's openness to long-term partnerships grounded in innovation, shared growth, and economic resilience. Business France, a leading government agency, is spearheading the initiative to bolster France's international economic outreach and attract foreign investment.
