ISLAMABAD: A politician representing French nationals living in the Middle East is arriving in Riyadh on Sunday (today) to consolidate relations and promote cooperation between France and Saudi Arabia in medical education and nursing.
La Republique En Marche’s member of parliament, Amal Amelia Lakrafi is likely to meet various officials to discuss health, women’s rights, and education and speak to members of the French community and business leaders, Arab News reported.
Lakrafi last visited the Kingdom in December 2022 alongside Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, French Nationals Abroad, Economic Attractiveness Olivier Becht, and representatives of several French firms.
Agreements boosting relations
During that visit, French public transport operator RATP and private companies Idverde and Amane Advisors signed deals and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to work more closely with Saudi authorities.
Lakrafi said that these agreements are part of the Franco-Saudi cooperation to assist the development of the AlUla region. The deal signed by RATP aims to develop an intelligent and sustainable transport system to serve AlUla’s inhabitants and visitors.
She further said that the MoU signed with Amane Advisors focuses on developing services for better sustainable waste management, and the one with Idverde company for landscaping of AlUla’s territory.
As part of the Saudi Vision 2030 financial diversification program, the country has set a goal to raise its annual tourism revenue to 46 billion dollars by 2030. It is committed to promoting and developing its archaeological heritage and diverse landscapes like AlUla.
Lakrafi said that it was clear that the Kingdom had a clear goal of opening up to international tourism that was going beyond religious pilgrimages.
She added that France saw it very concretely, with easy access to tourist visas or through advertising drives developed by Saudi operators. This tourist ambition would find its audience.
Saudi Arabia is home to more than 500 French teachers who are important in ensuring that the over 150,000 French speakers in the Kingdom are provided with good quality education. Talks are also underway at the highest level for reintegrating the French-language teaching method in Saudi public schools.
