Saturday, July 14, 2012 16

NATIONAL DAY SUPPLEMENT

Strategic partnership to be given fresh impetusSince 1996, France and Saudi Arabia are tied by a strategic partnership that reflects the importance of the relationship between the two coun-tries. This privileged relationship established when King Faisal met with Gen. de Gaulle in 1967, has been active in various fields — political, military, security, economic and cultural.

Further to the visit paid by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to Paris in June 2007, followed by the president of The Republic visit to Riyadh in January 2008, November 2008 and in October 2009, it has been decided, at the highest levels, to give a new impetus to our strategic partnership, aimed

at being global and focused on transfer of competence. Major coop-eration agreements were signed in 2008, which are now being imple-mented in the sectors of education, security, political counseling and energy. A close cooperation is main-tained on major political matters of the region where our positions wide-ly converge, particularly being firm toward Iran and Syria, supporting Lebanon's independence, promoting a fair peace process between Palestine and Israel and assisting the stabilization of Egypt.

We particularly value Saudi efforts and contributions to the Middle East stability and its success-ful mediation with the CCG regard-

ing a peaceful transition in Yemen. Saudi Arabia is a major ally in our common fight against international terrorism and we also share in this regard the promotion of dialogue between religions and civilizations, launched by King Abdullah.

On economy, we also praise the Kingdom’s wise policy in the petro-leum sector particularly in the con-text of rising prices of energy in 2011. Many of our firms actively participate in development projects. In the last three years, our exports to the Kingdom doubled. Furthermore, we are proud of the sizable contracts signed by French firms in water treatment, electricity and transport sectors. Our firms are also active in

hotel, food and luxury industries.We welcome the strengthening,

this year, of the cooperation between Airbus and Saudi Arabian Airlines. Cooperation between Saudia and Air

France has also been boosted.Saudi Arabia’s potential, its mas-

sive development program and its diversification strategy, offer a prom-ising outlook for France in the com-ing years. We have signed this year a cooperation agreement in the civil nuclear sector, which will open a new avenue in our strategic partner-ship. Saudi Arabia is our second commercial partner in the Middle East. Seventy French companies are active in the Kingdom giving jobs to 20,000 employees. France is the third largest foreign investor in Saudi Arabia with more than $ 15 billion invested in the Saudi economy.

France and Saudi Arabia have also strengthened their military

and security cooperation with the doubling of joint military exercis-es in 2011 and with the increased frequencies of our trainee pro-gram for Saudi security officers in the field of counter-terrorism, along with our constant coopera-tion with the Prince Naif Arab University for Security sciences.

In the field of cultural coopera-tion, the number of Saudi students studying in France went from less than 100 in 2007 to more than 1,200 this year. The French Accor group is setting up four training centers to train 12,000 young Saudis in the field of tourism and hostelry. France has strengthened its cooperation in archeology and museum with the

Kingdom. The French Embassy in Riyadh and the French Consulate General in Jeddah offer monthly cultural events that allow Saudi and French public to gather in sharing the different cultures of the world.

In conclusion, we are deter-mined to strengthen this strategic partnership in all areas for the mutual benefit of our friendly nations. This is the message that President Hollande conveyed to King Abdullah through Prince Miteb bin Abdullah when he was received in the Elysee Palace on June 12.

Bertrand BesancenotFrench Ambassador to the

Kingdom

Role is to boost bilateral tiesFirst of all, I am very happy and honored to have been appoint-ed as General Consul of France in Jeddah with a consular dis-trict covering the western coast of the Kingdom, including the cities of Makkah and Madinah; in which 2,400 French citizens have their residence.

For the French government, Jeddah is a major city in a major country — both at inter-national and regional scale. Under the responsibility of the French Ambassador, I will dedi-cate my stay here to strengthen bilateral ties in all fields. We expect to boost mutual business investments in France and in this part of the Kingdom. There are also opportunities for stron-ger institutional cooperation regarding universities, research centers, and cultural coopera-

tion. We will also try to convince more young Saudi students to go to French universities. I am very confident since the links between our two countries have progressively deepened for almost eight decades.

I am very impressed by the increasing number of Saudi citizens visiting France year after year.

I visited Jeddah for a short

and delightful trip 25 years ago, and since then I have taken a close interest toward Saudi Arabia and its culture. I very much look forward to meeting 21st century’s Saudis, as I expect I have a lot to learn from them. My hope during my stay in Jeddah is to bring my own little nugget to the deeply entrenched friendship between Saudi Arabia and France.

The importance the French government attaches to its Consulate General in Jeddah reflects the status of this fasci-nating town, where all national institutions still have strong branches. Our mission in Jeddah is also to provide sup-port to the pilgrims coming from France for Haj or Umrah (45,000 persons last year). Jeddah and Makkah are also

the host towns of major inter-national organizations that entail a specific role for the General Consul of France.

The economic strength of Jeddah is of paramount impor-tance in the region and also explains the scope of the French presence on the West coast of the country.

Finally, the diplomatic pres-ence of France in Jeddah, one of the first foreign countries to have opened a mission in this old and cosmopolitan city, remains very important to us since Jeddah represents a sym-bol between past and future, Asia, Africa and Mediterranean, as well as between tradition and modernism.

Dr. Louis BlinGeneral Consul of France in

Jeddah

Schneider Electric offers green solutions across varied segmentsRiyadh: aRab News

Present in Saudi Arabia for more than 30 years, Schneider Electric — a global spe-cialist in energy management, has played an integral role in the development of the country’s energy infrastructure. With head-quarters and two manufacturing plants based in Riyadh, Schneider Electric’s net-work encompasses nine branches and a strong distribution system that ensures delivery to each corner of the country.

The company offers integrated green solutions across multiple market segments including energy and infrastructure, industrial processes, building automa-tion systems, data centers and networks, for businesses as well as a broad range of products for residential applications.

The energy management major is helping individuals and organizations optimize energy through break-through solutions to make businesses more productive and sustainable. The key infrastructure projects that Schneider Electric is developing include the ambi-tious Information Technology and Communication Complex (ITCC) in Riyadh, one of Schneider Electric’s largest and most important ongoing projects; King Saud University (KSU) Girls’ Campus electrical infrastructure solution, for which Schneider Electric received the Best Electricity Project of the Year Award at the Buildinfra Awards; Saudi Telecom Company (STC), Microsoft Innovation Centre (MIC) at Al Yamamah University, and the Arab National Bank (ANB) that saw Schneider Electric implement advanced mission critical data center solutions.

In addition to completing new commer-cial buildings in Makkah, Jubail and Riyadh, the French company plans to expand in the country with new manufac-turing units, additional warehousing space, and fresh production localization programs. In line with its commitment to sustainable development, Schneider Electric leads Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) indices, for which it is globally recognized. Offering a role model, the company actively partners with local businesses on resolving energy efficiency issues and providing smart and green building solutions. Schneider Electric has

implemented several energy conservation and efficiency initiatives across its manu-facturing plants, residential facilities and offices in Saudi Arabia.

The global pioneer in energy manage-ment aims to significantly reduce carbon emissions in Saudi Arabia for tackling the country’s energy dilemma. Reiterating its leading role, the move comes on the back of Saudi Arabia registering the world’s highest energy consumption per capita, fastest population growth, and significant industrialization that translate into a seven to eight percent rise in energy demand.

Furthermore, Schneider Electric is dem-onstrating its commitment to the ‘Saudization’ drive through actively engag-ing in the recruitment of Saudi graduates. Initiatives in this respect include participa-

tion at the national ‘Liqaat Employment Events’. Additionally, the company is aggressively building capacity of its Saudi workforce as part of an overarching objec-tive to scale up its manpower by up to 30 percent.

The registration of 624 new members to the Schneider Electric Energy University — more than any other GCC country, tak-ing the total to 75,191 users worldwide, is yet another indicator of Schneider Electric’s growth in Saudi Arabia.

Courses offered by Energy University are designed to provide anyone involved in decision-making, management, planning,

design, or construction of a space impacted by energy with a level of expertise to address efficiency issues and apply safe, reliable and cost-effec-tive measures. Schneider Electric also offers support for students through internship programs.

Schneider Electric is also expressing further commitment to its core markets, through participation at a range of key summits, award ceremonies and sympo-siums including: The Kingdom Hotel Expansion Summit, Modern Makkah Summit, Solar Arabia Summit, and CIO Strategies Saudi Arabia Forum. Another key focus for Schneider Electric is the empowerment of female candidates, as the company looks to integrate more Saudi females into its ranks. As a part of this campaign, Schneider Electric has intro-duced a ‘Ladies’ Section’, operational since 2010, providing on-the-job and personal skills development training within a cul-ture that encourages learning and develop-ment, and where knowledge is acquired and shared.

France’s agri exports have provided boost to the overall strength in bilateral growth.

Trade: Trends and challengesRiyadh: aRab News

Bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and France can be described as outstand-ing. The last five years have been espe-cially a rich and challenging time. France’s commitment is to keep working in that positive direction.

In 2011, trade (imports and exports) between France and Saudi Arabia showed a very marked increase (17 percent) totaling 7,694 million euros compared to 6,586 million euros in 2010, despite a decline in value of French exports.

The structure of French imports from Saudi Arabia is traditionally marked by

the preponderance of petroleum prod-ucts and petrochemicals (98 percent, or 4,481 million euros in 2011).

It is therefore logical that rising oil prices boosted the amount of imports to a record high in 2011 (4,556 million euros, or 65.4 percent increase compared to 2010).

Saudi Arabia now ranks fourth in France’s suppliers of crude oil and covers 11.2 percent of French needs (against 6.7 percent in 2010).

France’s exports went down by 21.2 percent in 2011 mainly due to decrease in sales of aircraft equipment. France’s exports "of aircraft and spacecraft" and

"pharmaceutical preparations" were alone 50 percent of French sales to Saudi Arabia in 2010. In 2011, the cumulative decline in sales reached 1,165 million euros.

Other sectors, however, showed excel-lent performance and confirmed France’s strong position in growing business seg-ments. Saudi Arabia is undergoing a period of sustainable economic develop-ment, and has, moreover, high govern-ment spending that support imports. Additionally, population growth is a dynamic engine of consumption. Many of France’s industries benefit from it.

Continued on Page 17

Saturday, July 14, 2012 17

NATIONAL DAY SUPPLEMENT

Trade — trends and challenges

Continued from Page 16The need for food products in

Saudi Arabia are also highlighted by strong growth in exports of agri-food products, which recorded an increase of 40.2 percent to 410 m euros. Sales of poultry meat (48.9 percent to 212 million euros) are the most dynamic and French sales of “perfumes and toiletries” continued to increase (16.2 percent to 125 mil-lion euros).

If one believes the developments of recent years and needs to come for Saudi Arabia, France is well posi-tioned in growing segments such as food, consumer goods and mechani-cal and electrical equipment.

To improve its performance in Saudi Arabia, France must strive to increase the number of firms export-ing in the country (between 2000 and 2009, there was indeed a 16 percent decrease in the number of French companies exporting to Saudi Arabia and 23 percent of SMEs). On the other hand, the num-ber of French subsidiaries in Saudi Arabia is growing (70 up to date employing 20 000 people).

A road show similar to the “US-Saudi Business Opportunities Forum” will be organized in France in November this year in coopera-tion with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. This high-level gather-ing of senior officials and corporate leaders from Saudi Arabia and France is designed to increase understanding and business inter-change between the two nations.

In light of Saudi Arabia’s growing role in global financial and eco-nomic issues and the need for a continued collaborative Saudi-French relationship in these areas, this two-day event will be a major platform for senior business people and high-level government officials from both countries to explore opportunities for greater economic cooperation, as well as to develop new and lasting business ties.

Cultural ties cover three areasRiyadh: aRab News

Cultural, academic, scientific and technical cooperation between France and Saudi Arabia covers three areas: Training young Saudis, assisting in the introduction of the reforms desired by the king, and the imparting knowledge of our lan-guage and our culture.

Training of SaudisThe number of Saudi scholar-

ship students in France in 2012 reached 1,200, including many doctors in specialty training. The objective of the Saudi Ministry of Higher Education is to send 4,000 scholarship students in France in 2015.

Support of policy reformA justice reform is under way. A

visit to France by the Minister of Justice is expected sometime in the fall of 2012. It will be an opportu-nity to sign an agreement that pro-vides the support of French institu-tions in the training of judicial staff.

Strengthening the influence of France

Secondary schools: Except international schools, only a few private schools now teach French, but with a number of Saudi stu-dents increasing some of these schools are turning to the French system to create French sections. Moreover, we have developed with several institutions DELF Junior examination that is a great success.

Higher Education: Our goal is to continue to implement on the ground 60 interuniversity agree-ments signed since 2008. There are now four university departments of French in the Kingdom, Riyadh and Jeddah, with whom we work regu-larly.

Campus France offers key services to studentsRiyadh: aRab News

Every year, around 600 students from different nationalities leave Saudi Arabia to pursue their stud-ies in France. France is honored to receive them and welcome them into the French educational sys-tem that is known for its excellent training.

Now, nationals and nonnation-

als living in the Kingdom and aspiring to study in France can go to the offices of Campus France — whether in the Consulate General in Jeddah or the Embassy in Riyadh — for assistance.

Campus France will first offer help and advice for students con-templating France as a potential destination to pursue their stud-ies, and second we will accompa-

ny him during the application and visa process as well as during your studies in France.

Campus France is a French national agency that promotes French higher education abroad. Dedicated to international mobil-ity in higher education and research, Campus France is super-vised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministries of

National Education and Higher Education and Research.

Campus France was created to facilitate and simplify administra-tive procedures for students. The website offers dynamic and inter-active tools where students can find all the information they need to make their choice about their studies and how to pursue it.

Our desire is to offer quality

service ensuring the academic success of our students that travel from Saudi Arabia to France. Our missions:

* Promotion and development abroad of French higher educa-tion and professional training.

* Support for foreign students, scholars, and researchers, partic-ularly in the form of assistance with visas and housing.

Designed especially for interna-tional students, the Campus France website: www.campus-france.org

Our offices in KSA:Riyadh: Email: riyad@campus-

france.org Phone+96614344195Jeddah: Email: djeddah@cam-

pusfrance.org; Salma.atassi@diplomatie.gouv.fr Phone +96626681550