French Companies Eye Investment Opportunities in Saudi Security, Defense

Meeting with the French companies at the Federation of Saudi Chambers (SPA)
Meeting with the French companies at the Federation of Saudi Chambers (SPA)
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French Companies Eye Investment Opportunities in Saudi Security, Defense

Meeting with the French companies at the Federation of Saudi Chambers (SPA)
Meeting with the French companies at the Federation of Saudi Chambers (SPA)

Federation of Saudi Chambers hosted a delegation of 18 French companies specialized in security and defense-related fields to discuss cooperation, partnership, and investment with the Saudi business sector.

The Head of the Saudi-French Business Council, Mohammed bin Laden, praised the partnership approach between the council and Business France, the national agency supporting the international development of the French economy.

Bin Laden called for boosting bilateral Saudi-French economic and trade relations, explaining that the Kingdom witnessed a significant transformation at all levels since the announcement of Vision 2030.

He indicated that Saudi Arabia now has become a land of investment opportunities, encouraging the French side to take advantage and participate in the ambitious vision projects.

For his part, the Deputy Governor of Military Acquisition at the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), Mohammed al-Athel, said that the authority aimed to localize 50 percent of the Kingdom's spending on military equipment and services.

The authority was established in 2017 and is mandated with empowering the defense industries sector, making it an essential tributary for the national economy, providing job opportunities for Saudi youth, and an engine for non-oil revenues.

The CEO of the Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), Walid Abukhaled, explained that the company succeeded in entering the list of the 100 largest companies specializing in defense industries.

Abukhaled expected the company to become among the top 25 companies by 2030 and it is concerned with developing, supporting, and enhancing military industries in the Kingdom.

It plays a significant role in supporting the localization of 50 percent of its military spending, among the most prominent goals of Vision 2030.

During the meeting, the head of the French delegation, Commercial Counselor at the French Embassy in Riyadh, Rachid Boulaouine, confirmed that the visit of the French trade mission to the Kingdom comes to discuss the participation of French companies' expertise in the projects and opportunities of Vision 2030, and the localization of industries in the military and defense industries sector.

The French delegation includes 18 French companies specialized in security and defense and looked forward to learning more about the security sector market in the Kingdom, the opportunities available there, and the possibility of forming partnerships with Saudi counterparts.

Meanwhile, the Saudi Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, Majid Al-Hogail, accompanied by a delegation, continues his tour in Japan, where he was briefed on smart cities, their industry, and the provision of technical solutions and creative ideas in this field.

Hogail met with a delegation from Toyota Motors Corporation to view offers in several specialized fields and studied what could be adopted to enhance mutual understanding between the two countries in all sectors and areas.

The Minister pointed to the technical and human capabilities of smart cities, innovation cities, and Japanese companies, stressing that it is vital to benefit from them by finding strategic partnerships that help improve the quality of services and launch with more significant acceleration.

The visit was part of the Minister's Asian tour, during which he met several ministers and prominent figures and witnessed the signing of several agreements.



Port of NEOM Strengthens Role in Global Supply Chain Connectivity

By empowering Saudi workers with high-tech skills, Port of NEOM is supporting NEOM’s vision of being a catalyst for a sustainable, diverse, and innovative ecosystem that enables regional economic resilience and advances the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 - SPA
By empowering Saudi workers with high-tech skills, Port of NEOM is supporting NEOM’s vision of being a catalyst for a sustainable, diverse, and innovative ecosystem that enables regional economic resilience and advances the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 - SPA
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Port of NEOM Strengthens Role in Global Supply Chain Connectivity

By empowering Saudi workers with high-tech skills, Port of NEOM is supporting NEOM’s vision of being a catalyst for a sustainable, diverse, and innovative ecosystem that enables regional economic resilience and advances the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 - SPA
By empowering Saudi workers with high-tech skills, Port of NEOM is supporting NEOM’s vision of being a catalyst for a sustainable, diverse, and innovative ecosystem that enables regional economic resilience and advances the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 - SPA

Port of NEOM has marked a major milestone with the arrival of the first fully automated, remote-controlled Ship-To-Shore (STS) and Electric Rubber-Tyred Gantry (eRTG) cranes in the Kingdom, advancing its goal to become a global hub for smart, sustainable trade, SPA reported.

Strategically located on the Red Sea, Port of NEOM is already serving as a critical gateway on the East-West trade route. The newly arrived state-of-the-art cranes will play a critical role in the port’s automation strategy, unlocking the potential for high-volume, high-efficiency operations.

Development of Port of NEOM continues at a pace ahead of the 2026 opening of Terminal 1, a next-generation container terminal, with recent infrastructure milestones including the completion of a 900-meter quay wall and the deepening of the port channel to 18.5 meters—enabling the world’s largest vessels transiting the Suez Canal to call at Port of NEOM.

Terminal 1 will also feature horizontal transport automation as part of its broader goal to achieve full automation. Once operational, these technologies will significantly expand the port’s logistics capacity, driving regional industrial growth, opening access to global markets, enhancing supply chain resilience, and unlocking business opportunities.

Port of NEOM Managing Director Sean Kelly said: “The arrival of our first automated cranes marks a tangible milestone as we lay the foundations for an advanced, future-ready port. We are not only accelerating industrial growth in northwest Saudi Arabia, but we are also setting a new benchmark for performance, efficiency, innovation and establishing a vital trade gateway for the Kingdom and the region beyond.”

In parallel with its investments in infrastructure and automation, Port of NEOM is also committed to developing local talent, including training Saudi women to take on high-tech roles. Central to this effort is a pioneering initiative to train the next generation of production specialists in remote crane operation skills, thereby helping to shape a more inclusive future for the logistics and industrial sectors.

By empowering Saudi workers with high-tech skills, Port of NEOM is supporting NEOM’s vision of being a catalyst for a sustainable, diverse, and innovative ecosystem that enables regional economic resilience and advances the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.