Developments in recent months have demonstrated the French and Francophone expansion in Jeddah as well as the strengthening of relations between France and Saudi Arabia.

Registrations of French citizens at the consulate general of France in Jeddah, which covers the nine western provinces of the Kingdom, have increased by 20 percent in one year, reaching 2,630 records, twice as much as their number, four years ago.

These changes have prompted us to plan the relocation of Jeddah’s International French School.

Last May, the Minister of Education and the Makkah Governor launched the construction of a new bigger school in the Prince Sultan Cultural Center, located north of the city.

French speaking is growing as well. Eight schools in Jeddah, offering francophone curricula, have decided, last June, to cooperate in view of offering common activities to their students.

Moreover, Jeddah’s French Alliance provides French courses to an increasing number of students.

Expanding numbers of Saudi nationals attend or contribute to the cultural events organized by the consulate general of France in Jeddah.

Their number, which doubled in 2013, is also growing this year.

This is for them an opportunity to discover and stay in contact with French culture as well as to present their own artworks to the Jeddah public.

Most of the artists and intellectuals in the city frequently visit our consulate, which has become a central platform for networking and creativity.

The first “music festival,” namely, organized in January, will remain an unforgettable event.

This year we have granted, for the first time, the “The Consulate general of France in Jeddah award for woman” to two distinguished Saudi women.

Our website has seen a 24 percent increase of the number of Internauts in 2013.

On the economic side, the Jeddah Saudi-French businessmen’s association, continuously adds new members, Saudi nationals as well as French. It deploys its activities, even outside Jeddah.

The same applies to the dynamism of the Jeddah Francophone doctors’ association.

This year, the enthusiasm of Saudi nationals for tourism in France has intensified.

Our partner, Al-Etimad, has added new spacious and well-equipped offices to better serve visa applicants.

Regarding the French organizers of Makkah pilgrimage, who have recently founded an association, they adopted in coordination with the Saudi authorities, a pilgrimage chart aiming at guiding their activities.

I would like to express my gratitude to our numerous Saudi friends who dedicate themselves to French pilgrims in Makkah and Medina.

I would like to convey my thanks to the Kingdom’s authorities and the Saudi people for their unique welcome and their kindness toward me and toward all the French citizens, residents or visitors.

I would like also to convey my thanks to the new secretary general and the representatives of Organization of Islamic Cooperation to which I serve as France’s special envoy.

During this holy month of Ramadan, I would like to reiterate our brotherly feelings to the numerous friends of France.

—

Dr. Louis Blin

Consul General of France