25 French Companies Offer Partnership Opportunities with Saudi Arabia in Cyber Security

Officials are seen at the Saudi-French security conference in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Officials are seen at the Saudi-French security conference in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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25 French Companies Offer Partnership Opportunities with Saudi Arabia in Cyber Security

Officials are seen at the Saudi-French security conference in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Officials are seen at the Saudi-French security conference in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Twenty-five French companies specializing in cybersecurity have presented significant partnership opportunities with their Saudi counterparts to help bolster the sector.

French and Saudi officials emphasized the substantial investment prospects in security infrastructure during the Saudi-French Security Day program, which kicked off in Riyadh on Sunday and will continue until Tuesday.

The conference highlighted the potential role Riyadh and Paris can play in creating secure cities for the future, aligning with the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, as the Kingdom prepares to host major international events, including the 2027 Asian Games, Expo 2030, and the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

Rachid Boulaouine, Director of Business France Saudi Arabia, stated during the event that collaborating with French companies offers a valuable opportunity to meet the complex security needs of large-scale events and major projects in the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia is investing over $15 billion in the rapidly growing cybersecurity market as part of Vision 2030.

In 2023, France’s cybersecurity sector generated over 7 billion euros ($7.6 billion) in revenue, with an annual growth rate of 10%, driven by increased investment in advanced technologies and innovative solutions.

Over the three-day conference, discussions will focus on enhancing bilateral cooperation and fostering partnerships between French companies and key Saudi entities, including King Salman Park, the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, the General Entertainment Authority, and Qiddiya.



Oil Heads for Weekly Gains on Anxiety over Intensifying Ukraine War

Pump jacks operate in front of a drilling rig in an oilfield in Midland, Texas US August 22, 2018. Picture taken August 22, 2018. REUTERS/Nick Oxford/File Photo
Pump jacks operate in front of a drilling rig in an oilfield in Midland, Texas US August 22, 2018. Picture taken August 22, 2018. REUTERS/Nick Oxford/File Photo
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Oil Heads for Weekly Gains on Anxiety over Intensifying Ukraine War

Pump jacks operate in front of a drilling rig in an oilfield in Midland, Texas US August 22, 2018. Picture taken August 22, 2018. REUTERS/Nick Oxford/File Photo
Pump jacks operate in front of a drilling rig in an oilfield in Midland, Texas US August 22, 2018. Picture taken August 22, 2018. REUTERS/Nick Oxford/File Photo

Oil prices extended gains on Friday, heading for a weekly uptick of more than 4%, as the Ukraine war intensified with Russian President Vladimir Putin warning of a global conflict.
Brent crude futures gained 10 cents, or 0.1%, to $74.33 a barrel by 0448 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 13 cents, or 0.2%, to $70.23 per barrel.
Both contracts jumped 2% on Thursday and are set to cap gains of more than 4% this week, the strongest weekly performance since late September, as Moscow stepped up its offensive against Ukraine after the US and Britain allowed Kyiv to strike Russia with their weapons.
Putin said on Thursday it had fired a ballistic missile at Ukraine and warned of a global conflict, raising the risk of oil supply disruption from one of the world's largest producers.
Russia this month said it produced about 9 million barrels of oil a day, even with output declines following import bans tied to its invasion of Ukraine and supply curbs by producer group OPEC+.
Ukraine has used drones to target Russian oil infrastructure, including in June, when it used long-range attack drones to strike four Russian refineries.
Swelling US crude and gasoline stocks and forecasts of surplus supply next year limited price gains.
"Our base case is that Brent stays in a $70-85 range, with high spare capacity limiting price upside, and the price elasticity of OPEC and shale supply limiting price downside," Goldman Sachs analysts led by Daan Struyven said in a note.
"However, the risks of breaking out are growing," they said, adding that Brent could rise to about $85 a barrel in the first half of 2025 if Iran supply drops by 1 million barrels per day on tighter sanctions enforcement under US President-elect Donald Trump's administration.
Some analysts forecast another jump in US oil inventories in next week's data.
"We will be expecting a rebound in production as well as US refinery activity next week that will carry negative implications for both crude and key products," said Jim Ritterbusch of Ritterbusch and Associates in Florida.
The world's top crude importer, China, meanwhile on Thursday announced policy measures to boost trade, including support for energy product imports, amid worries over Trump's threats to impose tariffs.