Arab News, Saturday, Feb 04, 2023 | Rajab 13, 1444
Saudi Arabia and France sign cooperation MoU in the field of energy
Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia and
France have agreed a deal to establish a framework for cooperation in the energy
sector, particularly in technologies which tackle climate change, such as carbon
capture and hydrogen production.
The Kingdom’s Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz
bin Salman signed a memorandum of understanding with Catherine Colonna, French
minister of Europe and foreign affairs, to increase closer working in the fields
of electricity, renewables, and energy efficiency.
The deal, which was signed in Riyadh, will also
cover storage, smart grids, oil and gas and their derivatives, as well as
refining, petrochemicals, and the distribution and marketing sector.
The agreement addresses areas of collaboration in
digital transformation, localization of materials, products, and services
related to the energy sectors, joint research, skill training, and cooperation
between specialized companies.
The meeting is yet another example of the solid
relationship between Saudi Arabia and France, with Colonna having met with the
Kingdom’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and discussed ways to enhance
bilateral relations between the two countries.
Ahead of Colonna’s visit to Riyadh, France’s
Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty Bruno Le
Maire traveled to the Saudi capital.
He met with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy
Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman to discuss cooperation in the peaceful uses of
atomic energy.
They also discussed future opportunities in
various energy fields, including areas of cooperation in renewable energy, clean
hydrogen, and electrical interconnection.
In an interview with Arab News in December, the
French Minister for Foreign Trade, Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad
Olivier Becht set out how trade between his country and Saudi Arabia is set to
grow.
“French companies are committed to increasing and
diversifying their investments in the Saudi economy, in line with the priorities
of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, particularly in renewable energies, hydrogen,
water, the environment, the digital economy, the smart city and, of course,
tourism services and infrastructure,” he said.
“Several partnerships between French startups and
Saudi companies and investors have been established in the recent years…in
particular the delegation of startups led by Generation 2030, during the last
Future Investment Initiative in 2022 in Riyadh,” Becht said.
The minister added that France is ready to use its
expertise in many high-tech and digital fields — including smart cities,
cybersecurity and artificial intelligence — to develop new economic partnerships
with the Kingdom.