RIYADH, 22 March 2005 — French Minister of Transport Gilles de Robien, who wrapped up a two-day visit to the capital, said French expertise could be harnessed in several projects in the Kingdom, especially in the areas of railways and tourism.
Robien, who led a delegation of representatives from 20 French companies, met with Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, Riyadh Governor Prince Salman, Chairman of the Supreme Commission of Tourism Prince Sultan ibn Salman, his counterpart Dr. Jubarah Eid Al-Sireisiri and several Saudi businessmen at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI).
The minister said that there is lot of scope for French companies to involve in business ventures in railways, tourism, ports development, transport, shipping and air defense. Robien pointed out that French expertise could be utilized for the proposed railway projects in the Kingdom.
A 950-kilometer loop from Riyadh to Jeddah is the centerpiece of a multi-billion-dollar rail expansion plan, joining existing lines from the capital to the oil city of Dammam. A 115-kilometer line will also be built between Dammam, the city’s international airport and the industrial seaport of Jubail on the Gulf.
A 570-kilometer line between Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah and extending north to Yanbu is also planned to ease the travel of some two million pilgrims who visit Muslim holy sites during the annual pilgrimage.