The legendary world-class quality that French name brands boast from perfumes to designer clothing to food and beverage has been enjoyed by consumers with the most discriminating tastes worldwide for ages. Saudi Arabia is no exception.

Since diplomatic ties were established, French products have freely entered Saudi markets. The Economic Department of the French Consulate General in Jeddah is chiefly responsible why there’s a bit of French all around us.

The most conspicuous, of course, is the cavernous Gean’t, the French hypermarket which has arrived in the Kingdom with the opening of its first branch in Riyadh two months back.

The Consulate General’s Economic Department is promoting French exports to Saudi Arabia and assists local companies willing to import products or services from France, or invest in France. Among its functions, is to disseminate information on French companies, as well as:

• do market surveys on behalf of French companies seeking to enter Saudi market

• organize individual or collective trade missions

• coordinate French participation at some Saudi specialized exhibitions

• help Saudi businessmen in organizing trips to France.

This year, the Economic Department helped send a Saudi delegation for Franchise Expo (Franchising) et Salon du Pret a Porter (Fashion).

Attached agency Promosalons and soon to link up Sopexa are coordinating their efforts with the Consulate’s Economic Department to make the presence of French products even more visible.

A French business group, CAFDA, was created in 1995 to boost relations between French businessmen and their Saudi counterparts. It is opened not only to French businessmen based in Western Province but to all Saudi companies, as well, that are invovled in trade between the two countries.

A forum where various experiences and new ideas are shared and problems addressed, CAFDA has developed strong relationship not only with a lot of Saudi companies but also with the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Jeddah Municipality.

Promosalons is a marketing organization dedicated to the promotion of international exhibitions on behalf of French trade show organizers. A non-profit organization, Promosalons has offices in more than 60 countries and ensures local representation of major French trade shows taking place in France and abroad.

Sopexa is a private company acting on behalf of both private sector and government for the promotion of French food products and beverages. Its office will soon transfer from Riyadh to Jeddah.

The office of the Economic Department is located in the premises of the French Consulate General on Al-Shaoura Street, Al-Hamra district. It can be reached at (02) 668-1560 or by e-mail [email protected].