This week’s Vision Golfe 2025 conference in Paris saw the deepening of strategic ties and co-development of the economic future of both the Gulf and France. Over two days, more than 1,200 participants, including 550 high-level actors from GCC countries, convened at the French Ministry of Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty.
With the forum, France reaffirmed its standing as Europe’s top destination for foreign direct investment for the sixth consecutive year – a signal of stability, confidence, and opportunity.
As a backdrop to the event, it is worth mentioning that total trade between France and the GCC reached €21 billion in 2024, supported by a dynamic network of 17,000 French exporters to the Gulf, a sign of growing bilateral momentum and mutual opportunity.
Five ministers were present, as well as 80 top-level speakers, over 2,000 formal and informal meetings, and more than 70 partner organisations, solidifying the event’s position as a premier platform for France-GCC economic collaboration.
“It is of utmost importance to underscore the need to strengthen the ties between the Gulf countries and France,” stated Laurent Saint-Martin, French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade.
“This summit comes at a pivotal moment, one that calls for a strong reminder to the world of the strength of our existing bonds, and above all, of what still lies ahead for us to accomplish together. Vision Golfe serves as a showcase of our respective strengths.”
“Economic and trade cooperation is a cornerstone of the Qatari-French partnership,” said H.E. Ahmad Al-Sayed, Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs, Qatar.
“Over the past five years, our bilateral trade reached approximately €11 billion. Today, the Qatari market is home to hundreds of French companies operating across multiple sectors, including TotalEnergies, Thales, and other key partners.”
Minister Eric Lombard underlines ongoing commitment to growth
Opening day two of the conference, France’s Minister of the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, Eric Lombard offered a clear and confident roadmap for the next chapter of France-Gulf cooperation.
He described the forum as “a great success” thanks to the presence of “economic and political leaders both from France and the Gulf Cooperation Council.” Lombard emphasised that these relationships are not new, recalling “25 years of active engagement with the region,” including frequent bilateral visits and long-standing friendships with GCC leaders.
In a notably candid interlude, he added: “My commitment is a true and old one, and I’m happy to say that in front of you.”
Advocating peace and stability
Turning to geopolitics, Lombard reiterated France’s long-standing commitment to peace and de-escalation in the region: “We have been advocating for peace in Gaza, peace between Israel and Palestine, and we are advocating for de-escalation between Israel and Iran.”
He acknowledged the gravity of the current geopolitical context, extending sympathy to “all the people… victims of those events,” and underlined the role of business and economic dialogue in promoting stability.
A three-pillar strategy for future cooperation
Minister Lombard then laid out a three-pillar framework for the Franco-GCC economic partnership:
1. Sustainability and the energy transition
He applauded the Gulf’s progress on renewables, citing the “considerable efforts” already made and highlighting the impact of COP28 in Dubai. France, he said, is investing half of its €54 billion community development budget toward similar goals.
“We must work together to promote renewable energies, reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and develop innovative technologies for a greener and more sustainable future.”
2. Economic diversification
France stands ready to support the GCC’s ambitious transition away from oil dependency, Lombard stressed, identifying health-tech, sustainable agriculture, mobility, and the knowledge economy as areas of natural synergy.
3. Technological innovation and AI
Positioning France as a European leader in artificial intelligence, he pointed to the country’s strengths in low-carbon energy, top-tier talent, and digital infrastructure.
“More than €190-billion of private investment were announced during the AI Action Summit in February 2025,” he said, including €9 billion from Gulf investors.
France’s appeal as an investment hub remains strong, he added, noting that it was recently named “Europe’s top destination for foreign investment for the sixth year in a row.”
Strategic platform for East-West exchange
Lombard described France and the GCC as “stable, strong and complementary partners,” capable of serving as platforms to access global markets. France, he added, plays a pivotal role in bridging Asia and Europe: “France is a leading voice within the European Union and a defender of building bridges between East and West.”
The Minister concluded his address by affirming his commitment to ongoing engagement: “I intend to return to the region in the near future to continue along this path.”
In closing, he thanked the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the event organisers for their successful collaboration in staging the 2025 edition: “This forum has established itself as a platform for shaping the economic relationship between France and the Gulf countries… You can count on my commitment to continue to be behind the development of the partnership.”
A closing call to action: Ludovic Pouille
The forum closed with a powerful address by Ludovic Pouille, Director for Economic Diplomacy at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs: “This dialogue is not only economic: it’s strategic, human, and forward-looking. Together, we are building the conditions for shared resilience and long-term prosperity.”
Until mid-2024, Pouille served as France’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, playing a pivotal role in deepening bilateral relations during his four-year tenure. He actively championed the Kingdom’s Expo 2030 bid, personally supporting it as part of France’s public diplomacy efforts.
Pouille also publicly acknowledged the crucial high-level collaboration in addressing global challenges, including Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine, remarking on “outstanding bilateral relations… in all fields”. His efforts were recognized at the highest levels: he was personally received by Prince Faisal bin Bandar in Riyadh, underscoring his contributions to French–Saudi cooperation.
Through a proactive engagement in major cultural and sporting initiatives—as well as leveraging the influence of occasions like Bastille Day—Pouille significantly enhanced France’s diplomatic and cultural presence in the Kingdom. His leadership solidified a renewed spirit of partnership that will continue to shape Saudi‑French relations in the years ahead.
During the forum, Pouille delivered a passionate endorsement of Vision Golfe as a tool for diplomacy and growth: “I wish to congratulate all of the embassies and consulates of Team France for the support they give to French companies. They bring legal, political, financial and institutional expertise – from prospection to installation.”
He made a special mention for the team at Business France, adding that “Vision Golfe is a laboratory of innovations, of ideas, of concrete projects… a platform to go further together.”
Pouille urged French companies to seize the opportunities presented, encouraging direct dialogue with embassies and local chambers of commerce. “The embassies are open to you. Take advantage of our diplomats, our networks… France is with you,” Pouille concluded, drawing sustained applause from the audience.
Vision Golfe: a platform built to deliver
Organized by Business France, Vision Golfe 2025 was made possible thanks to the engagement of key partners:
- Thallium Consulting
- Ajman University
- Bank SAB
- Bpifrance
- First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)
- Modern Building Leaders & ICAD
- Power International Holding and Estithmar Holding
- Ethmar International Holding
“While the Middle East continues to face significant tension, Business France and its partners remain committed to building bridges, and to building the future” said Didier Boulogne, Deputy CEO for Export at Business France.
“We move forward on the basis of trust and mutual respect with our GCC partners: six countries with which France maintains truly exceptional relationships, as demonstrated by our daily work and growing partnerships on the ground.”
As a flagship platform for bilateral cooperation, the annual forum aims to accelerate deals, deepen joint initiatives, and shape a sustainable, shared economic future.
SA-FE.org was a SILVER SPONSOR of Vision Golfe 2025.
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Read also: “Beyond the Game”: Exploring the economic impacts of sport and tourism at Vision Golfe 2025
Photo top of page – Ludovic Pouille – Director for Economic Diplomacy at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs – with the entire team of Business France at the Vision Golfe 2025 event
