عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Business

French Companies Look For Riyadh’s Opportunities in Modern Industries, Renewable Energy

A French business delegation visits Saudi Arabia for the first time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat)
A French business delegation visits Saudi Arabia for the first time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
TT

French Companies Look For Riyadh’s Opportunities in Modern Industries, Renewable Energy

A French business delegation visits Saudi Arabia for the first time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat)
A French business delegation visits Saudi Arabia for the first time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat)

Fifteen French companies discussed in Riyadh on Monday cooperation opportunities in the fields of technology, modern industries, agricultural production, renewable energy, entertainment, tourism, education and training, and ways to strengthen partnerships in the Qiddiya and NEOM projects, the Red Sea, Green Riyadh, the Middle East Green Initiative and other new Saudi projects.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Co-chairman of the Saudi-French Business Council Laurent Germain said: “We seek to strengthen cooperation in various fields, and we have full confidence in the Saudi investment environment,” pointing to the Kingdom’s ability to develop its economy and increase investments and trade in the region despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

He added that the French side was looking forward to drawing a road map in order to translate bilateral agreements into tangible reality and explore investment opportunities offered by the Kingdom.

“During the coming period, we expect an influx of investments in areas that have been explored, in addition to our work in the fields of roads, aviation, transportation, infrastructure, airports, the Red Sea project, the Green Middle East project, Diriyah, Qiddiya and others,” Germain stated.

Dr. Khaled Al-Yahya, Secretary-General of the Council of Saudi Chambers, expected that the French-Saudi talks would result in plans and projects that work on exchanging information and visits, building trust and forging real partnerships to generate jobs, transfer knowledge and technology and develop strategic sectors.

In this regard, Yahya pointed to the great Saudi economic transformation and major reforms in legislation and regulations, which all seek to encourage foreign companies to access the Saudi market and invest in energy, health, education, hospitality and tourism.

Most Viewed

 
 
Business

Firm Dollar Keeps Pound, Euro and Yen Under Pressure

US Dollar and Euro banknotes are seen in this illustration taken July 17, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/ File Photo
US Dollar and Euro banknotes are seen in this illustration taken July 17, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/ File Photo
TT
TT

Firm Dollar Keeps Pound, Euro and Yen Under Pressure

US Dollar and Euro banknotes are seen in this illustration taken July 17, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/ File Photo
US Dollar and Euro banknotes are seen in this illustration taken July 17, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/ File Photo

The US dollar charged ahead on Thursday, underpinned by rising Treasury yields, putting the yen, sterling and euro under pressure near multi-month lows amid the shifting threat of tariffs.

The focus for markets in 2025 has been on US President-elect Donald Trump's agenda as he steps back into the White House on Jan. 20, with analysts expecting his policies to both bolster growth and add to price pressures, according to Reuters.

CNN on Wednesday reported that Trump is considering declaring a national economic emergency to provide legal justification for a series of universal tariffs on allies and adversaries. On Monday, the Washington Post said Trump was looking at more nuanced tariffs, which he later denied.

Concerns that policies introduced by the Trump administration could reignite inflation has led bond yields higher, with the yield on the benchmark 10-year US Treasury note hitting 4.73% on Wednesday, its highest since April 25. It was at 4.6709% on Thursday.

"Trump's shifting narrative on tariffs has undoubtedly had an effect on USD. It seems this capriciousness is something markets will have to adapt to over the coming four years," said Kieran Williams, head of Asia FX at InTouch Capital Markets.

The bond market selloff has left the dollar standing tall and casting a shadow on the currency market.

Among the most affected was the pound, which was headed for its biggest three-day drop in nearly two years.

Sterling slid to $1.2239 on Thursday, its weakest since November 2023, even as British government bond yields hit multi-year highs.

Ordinarily, higher gilt yields would support the pound, but not in this case.

The sell-off in UK government bond markets resumed on Thursday, with 10-year and 30-year gilt yields jumping again in early trading, as confidence in Britain's fiscal outlook deteriorates.

"Such a simultaneous sell-off in currency and bonds is rather unusual for a G10 country," said Michael Pfister, FX analyst at Commerzbank.

"It seems to be the culmination of a development that began several months ago. The new Labour government's approval ratings are at record lows just a few months after the election, and business and consumer sentiment is severely depressed."

Sterling was last down about 0.69% at $1.2282.

The euro also eased, albeit less than the pound, to $1.0302, lurking close to the two-year low it hit last week as investors remain worried the single currency may fall to the key $1 mark this year due to tariff uncertainties.

The yen hovered near the key 160 per dollar mark that led to Tokyo intervening in the market last July, after it touched a near six-month low of 158.55 on Wednesday.

Though it strengthened a bit on the day and was last at 158.15 per dollar. That all left the dollar index, which measures the US currency against six other units, up 0.15% and at 109.18, just shy of the two-year high it touched last week.

Also in the mix were the Federal Reserve minutes of its December meeting, released on Wednesday, which showed the central bank flagged new inflation concerns and officials saw a rising risk the incoming administration's plans may slow economic growth and raise unemployment.

With US markets closed on Thursday, the spotlight will be on Friday's payrolls report as investors parse through data to gauge when the Fed will next cut rates.