Paris: Regional Managing Director for Near and Middle East at Business Insider, Axel Baroux, stated that the Gulf Vision 2025 conference, to be held in Paris, would be a platform boosting strategic partnership between Gulf States and France. The conference, to take place on June 17 and 18, is held under the patronage of French President Emmanuel Macron.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Baroux stated that the conference will explore key themes including bolstering sustainable economic development through energy transition, AI and innovation, healthcare, agriculture, transportation, education, and tourism. The conference also sets out to translate ambitious projects into tangible agreements supporting economic diversity, facilitating investments, and supporting sustainable innovation.
Kuwait's vision 2035 and France 2030 are in alignment, commented Baroux, adding that the conference over previous editions included notable Kuwaiti personalities, reflecting a clear interest in developing relations. The 2025 edition marks a turning point in French-Gulf economic relations as it translates strategic ambitions into tangible, collaborative projects, as well as allows direct connection between French companies and Gulf decision-makers to build long-term relations.
France is the number one European investor in Kuwait and eighth globally, with a focal role in the energy sector, infrastructure, and transportation, he explained. More than 50 percent of European companies in Kuwait are French, Baroux expounded, adding that they are providing more than 2,100 job opportunities.
He took note of the growth in cooperation between the two in health, education, services, and green tech, especially as they come in line with Kuwait's policy of economic diversity. France is represented by 89 companies in Kuwait and has the confidence of the Kuwaiti market especially in luxury, healthcare, cosmetics, infrastructure, and food, commented Baroux.
Business France, explained Baroux, keeps up with some 2,000 French companies in the Gulf, providing field support, organizing B2B meetings, as well as conducting market surveys and services for emerging companies and youthful talents. Baroux called on Kuwaiti investors to take part in the Gulf Vision 2025 conference in Paris and extended his invitation to decision-makers and entrepreneurs to engage in fruitful economic dialogue.