20 May 2013
DHAHRAN -- France is seeking partnerships for the development of nuclear energy in Saudi Arabia. This was disclosed by French Ambassador Bertrand Besancenot in a meeting at Asharqia Chamber. A high-level French trade delegation comprising over 40 companies met with a group of leading Saudi businessmen and discussed possible cooperation in various economic sectors particularly in the fields of nuclear and solar energy.
Besancenot pointed out that France has top class nuclear technology and know-how to offer to the Kingdom for the development of its nuclear energy saying that nuclear is the primary source of electric power in France and its over 70 percent of electricity comes from the nuclear energy. "We are the world's largest net exporter of electricity due to its very low cost of generation," he added.
When asked, Besancenot, observed that safety is the top priority for France firms when they get into the research and development of nuclear technology and equipment. "France has been very active in developing nuclear technology and our major exports are reactors, fuel products and services," he said.
Dr. Mohammad A. Garwan, Atomic Energy Team Leader at King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy gave an overview of future program for the generation of the Kingdom's alternative energy. Saudi Arabia has unveiled a road map with the objective of generating renewable energy capacity of 60 gigawatts including 17.6 gigawatts of nuclear energy and 41 gigawatts of solar energy by 2032.
Abdulrahman Rashed Al Rashed welcomed the French delegation led by Michel Gélénine, Director of Ubifrance. He noted that there is enormous potential of partnership in the field of nuclear energy between companies of the two countries saying that Saudi Arabia and France have already signed an agreement for the peaceful use of nuclear energy which has paved the way of further cooperation and transfer of French know-how and technology.
In addition to renewable energy, the French delegation represented a wide range of sectors including engineering, construction, industrial maintenance, cooling systems, hydraulic equipment, electrical tools, project management, consulting and engineering services. "These products and services have very bright prospects in Saudi Arabia particularly in its Eastern Province which is now called the "Industrial Capital of the Gulf" accounting for more than half of the Kingdom's total industrial investments," said Al Rahsed.
He mentioned that the Eastern Province is also globally recognized for its large scale petrochemical, mining and refining industries located in the Jubail Industrial City One and Two and in the Ras Al Khair Mining Zone. The newly developed Saudi Aramco and Total Refining and Petrochemical Complex is based in the region, he said.
Al Rahsed observed that Saudi Arabia and France have enjoyed buoyant historic relationships and these relationships have received renewed impetus following the successful visits of a number of reciprocal trade missions and the organization of a number of French catalogue exhibitions in the Kingdom during the past few years.
Recently the Saudi-French Business Opportunities Forum took place in Paris with the participation of a large number of Saudi businessmen, he noted.
The two-way trade between the nations has gone up significantly. The bilateral trade reached 8.7 billion euro in 2012, representing a 13 percent increase over the previous year. In 2012, Saudi imports from France amounted to 3.2 billion euro while Saudi exports to France accounted for 5.5 billion euro. Over 70 French companies have been active in the Saudi market with an investment estimated at $15 billion.
DHAHRAN -- France is seeking partnerships for the development of nuclear energy in Saudi Arabia. This was disclosed by French Ambassador Bertrand Besancenot in a meeting at Asharqia Chamber. A high-level French trade delegation comprising over 40 companies met with a group of leading Saudi businessmen and discussed possible cooperation in various economic sectors particularly in the fields of nuclear and solar energy.
Besancenot pointed out that France has top class nuclear technology and know-how to offer to the Kingdom for the development of its nuclear energy saying that nuclear is the primary source of electric power in France and its over 70 percent of electricity comes from the nuclear energy. "We are the world's largest net exporter of electricity due to its very low cost of generation," he added.
When asked, Besancenot, observed that safety is the top priority for France firms when they get into the research and development of nuclear technology and equipment. "France has been very active in developing nuclear technology and our major exports are reactors, fuel products and services," he said.
Dr. Mohammad A. Garwan, Atomic Energy Team Leader at King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy gave an overview of future program for the generation of the Kingdom's alternative energy. Saudi Arabia has unveiled a road map with the objective of generating renewable energy capacity of 60 gigawatts including 17.6 gigawatts of nuclear energy and 41 gigawatts of solar energy by 2032.
Abdulrahman Rashed Al Rashed welcomed the French delegation led by Michel Gélénine, Director of Ubifrance. He noted that there is enormous potential of partnership in the field of nuclear energy between companies of the two countries saying that Saudi Arabia and France have already signed an agreement for the peaceful use of nuclear energy which has paved the way of further cooperation and transfer of French know-how and technology.
In addition to renewable energy, the French delegation represented a wide range of sectors including engineering, construction, industrial maintenance, cooling systems, hydraulic equipment, electrical tools, project management, consulting and engineering services. "These products and services have very bright prospects in Saudi Arabia particularly in its Eastern Province which is now called the "Industrial Capital of the Gulf" accounting for more than half of the Kingdom's total industrial investments," said Al Rahsed.
He mentioned that the Eastern Province is also globally recognized for its large scale petrochemical, mining and refining industries located in the Jubail Industrial City One and Two and in the Ras Al Khair Mining Zone. The newly developed Saudi Aramco and Total Refining and Petrochemical Complex is based in the region, he said.
Al Rahsed observed that Saudi Arabia and France have enjoyed buoyant historic relationships and these relationships have received renewed impetus following the successful visits of a number of reciprocal trade missions and the organization of a number of French catalogue exhibitions in the Kingdom during the past few years.
Recently the Saudi-French Business Opportunities Forum took place in Paris with the participation of a large number of Saudi businessmen, he noted.
The two-way trade between the nations has gone up significantly. The bilateral trade reached 8.7 billion euro in 2012, representing a 13 percent increase over the previous year. In 2012, Saudi imports from France amounted to 3.2 billion euro while Saudi exports to France accounted for 5.5 billion euro. Over 70 French companies have been active in the Saudi market with an investment estimated at $15 billion.
© The Saudi Gazette 2013
