TUNIS: A leading French newspaper has called for France and Saudi Arabia to sign trade pacts that would benefit both countries during the visit of Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
According to a report in a local publication on Tuesday, Le Monde said there was hope that previous agreements signed would be implemented, including the management of a water company in Riyadh and an energy distribution facility in Jeddah.
The report highlighted the high-level nature of the visit by Prince Mohammed and the Kingdom’s aim to restructure its economy under Vision 2030.
There were also details of the prince’s visit to the United States to meet US president Barack Obama and political and business leaders, and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
It stated that French President Francois Hollande was aiming to increase the volume of trade between the two countries, in line with meetings of the Saudi-French Joint Committee, which had taken place this week, and previously in June and October of last year.
It said the Kingdom planned to establish a sovereign investment fund with a value of $2 trillion and the privatization of 5 percent of Saudi Aramco.
Le Monde calls for trade pacts
Le Monde calls for trade pacts
![French President Francois Hollande (L) welcomes Saudi Arabia's Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, in this June 27, 2016 photo. (REUTERS) Le Monde calls for trade pacts](https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/styles/n_670_395/public/29/06/2016//1467015545241773000-1.jpg?itok=UUPRCBjK)