French Program to Support Industrial Transformation in Saudi Arabia

 Business France launches in Riyadh a program to support industrial transformation within NIDLP (SPA)
Business France launches in Riyadh a program to support industrial transformation within NIDLP (SPA)
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French Program to Support Industrial Transformation in Saudi Arabia

 Business France launches in Riyadh a program to support industrial transformation within NIDLP (SPA)
Business France launches in Riyadh a program to support industrial transformation within NIDLP (SPA)

Business France, a French government agency concerned with international development, launched on Monday in Riyadh the first edition of a program to support industrial transformation in Saudi Arabia. The program was launched in cooperation with Saudi Arabia’s National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP).

The program, which offers an expanded package dedicated to innovative French companies that are keen to become a major player in Saudi Arabia’s national transformation plan, Vision 2030, includes companies that aim to support the Saudi industrial revolution.

Saudi Arabia’s industrial strategy looks to triple manufacturing GDP by 2030.

NIDLP CEO Suliman Almazroua voiced excitement to maintain and develop bilateral cooperation with Business France, noting that the Kingdom is witnessing a rapid transformation since the launch of Vision 2030.

Almazroua pointed out that the transformation opens the doors of the Kingdom to the international community to achieve the ambitious goals that affect the future of Saudi Arabia.

He noted that transformation will be reflected in the promotion of both domestic and international economic growth.

For his part, Abdulrahman Baeshen, head of Al-Shorouk Center for Economic Studies in Jazan, Saudi Arabia, stressed the importance of strengthening Saudi-French cooperation in terms of transferring expertise and technology industries, especially since France leads European countries in terms of its attractiveness to foreign investments.

Baeshen explained that France has a large share of attracting international projects and industrial investments at the level of European countries, which gives it an industrial advantage and an innovative technical and research superiority.



Lebanon’s Struggling Economy Slides Toward Full Recession

The Jousieh crossing between Lebanon and Syria following an Israeli strike on October 25. (AFP)
The Jousieh crossing between Lebanon and Syria following an Israeli strike on October 25. (AFP)
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Lebanon’s Struggling Economy Slides Toward Full Recession

The Jousieh crossing between Lebanon and Syria following an Israeli strike on October 25. (AFP)
The Jousieh crossing between Lebanon and Syria following an Israeli strike on October 25. (AFP)

The ongoing Israeli war on Lebanon has led to significant economic losses estimated between $10 billion and $20 billion.

This range reflects the difficulty in accurately assessing the damage amid Israel’s ongoing military operations, including airstrikes and ground attacks.

The destruction of homes, infrastructure, and farmland has contributed to a state of uncertainty, along with an unprecedented wave of displacement affecting many families.

Experts agree that reliable economic data is hard to obtain while the conflict continues.

Reports from the Ministry of Health and international organizations said nearly 3,000 people have been killed and around 15,000 injured, mostly civilians.

Additionally, about 1.4 million people have been displaced from their homes, representing roughly a quarter of Lebanon’s population.

Growing economic crisis ahead

The war came at a time when Lebanon’s economy was already struggling after five years of crisis.

According to Mohammad Choucair, head of the Economic Bodies Association, the situation is worsening rapidly, threatening serious economic and social consequences.

Current estimates suggest that direct losses from the conflict could reach between $10 billion and $12 billion, impacting various sectors.

As the war continues, key sectors like tourism, agriculture, and trade are experiencing a sharp decline in business activity.

Many small and medium-sized enterprises are being forced to close or suspend operations due to direct damage from attacks, reduced consumer demand, and disruptions in trade and supply chains caused by the influx of displaced people.

International financial institutions are warning that the ongoing Israeli attacks could continue for several more months, possibly lasting until mid-2025.

The Institute of International Finance (IIF) forecasts a 7% contraction in Lebanon’s GDP by the end of this year, followed by a 10% decline next year.

This would bring the total economic decline to nearly 60% from the peak GDP of around $53 billion recorded at the end of 2018.