The future of the France–Saudi Arabia partnership will depend less on governments than on the emergence of a new generation of highly educated entrepreneurs, innovators and cultural leaders capable of working across borders. That was the central message delivered by Mohamed Mourchid, Founder and President of the French-Saudi Youth Business Club (FSYBC), during the Club’s annual gathering at the Institut du Monde Arabe (IMA) in Paris.
Held under the theme “France 2030 – Vision 2030: The Dialogue Continues Towards Tomorrow,” the event brought together diplomats, business leaders, academics and young professionals only days after Business France’s successful Vision Golfe forum.
Mourchid argued that France and Saudi Arabia now find themselves at a pivotal moment. Both countries are pursuing ambitious national transformation programmes—France 2030 and Saudi Vision 2030—which, although born from different histories, share a common objective: investing in innovation, talent and the economy of tomorrow.
“These two visions come from different histories,” he said. “But they meet around the same ambition: preparing the future with ambition, method and a practical mindset.”
For Mourchid, however, national strategies alone are not enough: “Public authorities provide the impetus. Institutions create the framework. But in the long term, it is businesses, entrepreneurs, universities, cultural institutions, associations and young talents that give substance to the relationship.”
That philosophy has shaped the French-Saudi Youth Business Club since its creation in Paris. The organisation has become a bridge between French-speaking and Saudi entrepreneurs, encouraging professional exchanges while fostering deeper cultural understanding.
A generation unlike any before
The speech repeatedly returned to one theme: the emergence of a remarkably capable new generation across the Arab world.
Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s youngest societies, with the majority of its population under the age of 35. At the same time, unprecedented investment in education, international scholarships, research, entrepreneurship and technology has produced a generation that is increasingly multilingual, internationally connected and eager to engage with global partners.
Rather than viewing youth simply as an age group, Mourchid described it as a mindset: “People often ask me where youth begins and where it ends,” he told the audience. “My answer is simple. Youth is also a state of mind. It is curiosity, energy, the capacity to learn, to innovate and to move from one culture to another, from one market to another and from one language to another.”
Those qualities, he argued, are exactly what today’s international partnerships require.
“The paths are not always laid out in advance. Networks have to be built. Trust takes time. But when the determination exists and everyone commits to building for the long term, progress follows.”
From dialogue to projects
Mourchid stressed that the Club’s ambition goes far beyond organising conferences: “Our ambition is simple,” he said. “To ensure that exchanges become relationships, and that those relationships become projects.”
For him, success is measured in practical outcomes: a company finding the right partner, a student discovering an international opportunity, or two institutions launching a joint programme: “Impact is not an abstract concept,” he explained. “It is a relationship that continues after the evening because a conversation proved useful.”
The choice of the Institut du Monde Arabe as the venue reflected that philosophy. Mourchid thanked the institution and noted that culture should never be seen as secondary to economic cooperation: “In a place like this, culture gives depth to our exchanges. It creates a common language. It helps us understand what already connects us before we begin discussing projects or opportunities.”
A shared responsibility
Several distinguished speakers reinforced that message throughout the evening.
Representing President Anne-Claire Legendre, Julia de Rouvray, Director of Philanthropy and Development at the Institut du Monde Arabe, underscored the institution’s longstanding role as a bridge between France and the Arab world.
Business France Regional Director Axel Baroux, whose work has played an important role in strengthening economic relations with Saudi Arabia and the Gulf, was warmly thanked by Mourchid, together with Rachid Boulaouine, for years of commitment to Franco-Gulf cooperation.
Their contribution echoed the broader message emerging from Vision Golfe: governments can facilitate partnerships, but sustainable economic relationships are ultimately built by businesses, universities, cultural organisations and civil society.
That broader vision is shared across the French-Saudi Youth Business Club’s activities. Previous editions at the Institut du Monde Arabe have focused on women’s leadership and inclusion, bringing together speakers including Ludovic Pouille, Director of Economic Diplomacy at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Mazen Hakka, President of the Saudi-French Business Group in Jeddah, Leïla Grison, Executive Director of the Women’s Forum, Mariam Khattab, CEO of Mosaïk RH, and Hadil Ejja of the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Together, they highlighted the growing contribution of Saudi women to business, innovation and public life, while emphasising the value of cross-cultural cooperation and intergenerational mentoring.
A partnership built by people
Closing the evening, Mourchid returned to what he believes will define the next phase of France-Saudi relations. The relationship, he said, is now rich enough to embrace different generations, different sectors and different approaches, provided they share the same spirit of respect, excellence and mutual benefit.
With Saudi Arabia investing heavily in its youthful population and France seeking international partners for innovation and sustainable growth, the opportunities have never been greater. The challenge now is to ensure that talented young people on both sides are given the networks, confidence and opportunities to work together.
If Vision 2030 is transforming Saudi Arabia and France 2030 is reshaping the French economy, Mourchid believes the real engine of both ambitions will ultimately be people—particularly a new generation equipped with the education, international outlook and entrepreneurial mindset to turn dialogue into lasting partnerships.
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