Vision Golfe 2026 Brings Together 1,200+ Leaders to Advance France-GCC Partnerships
The forum featured 13 high-level panel discussions, more than 80 speakers, and over 3,500 B2B meetings, reinforcing its role as a key platform for France-Gulf economic dialogue.
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More than 1,200 participants, five ministers, and dozens of public and private sector leaders gathered in Paris from June 18-19, 2026 at Vision Golfe 2026.
Held during a week that brought together political, economic, and technology leaders in Europe, and organized by Business France, Vision Golfe 2026 brought together senior government officials, institutional leaders, and business executives from France and all GCC member states.
The forum featured 13 high-level panel discussions, more than 80 speakers, and over 3,500 B2B meetings, reinforcing its role as a key platform for France-Gulf economic dialogue.
Now firmly established as a flagship platform for economic exchange between France and the Gulf, Vision Golfe 2026 highlighted the growing momentum and diversity of Franco-Gulf business ties. “Today, and maybe more than ever, I want to reaffirm a simple and strong message: France stands firmly alongside the countries of the Gulf,” said Louis Margueritte, Chief Executive Officer of Business France. “Despite current tensions, we remain deeply convinced of the region’s extraordinary potential and we believe together in a region that will overcome the current crisis. We believe it will make a strong rebound.”
The forum was inaugurated by Roland Lescure, French Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty, Nicolas Forissier, French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Attractiveness, as well as Margueritte. They welcomed delegates by highlighting the scale of cooperation between France and the GCC and the opportunities for future growth. “Trade between France and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries reached nearly €25 billion in 2025, reflecting the strength of our economic relations and the significant potential for further cooperation,” said Forissier.
Senior Gulf officials also participated, including H.E. Eng. Khalid bin Saleh Al-Mudaifer, Vice Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia; H.E. Mohammed Abdulrahman Al Hawi, Undersecretary at the UAE Ministry of Investment; H.E. Khalid Ebrahim Humaidan, Governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain; and H.E. Eng. Saleh Alsolami, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s National Industrial Development Center.
French and Gulf officials alike described Vision Golfe as an important catalyst for advancing governmental and business cooperation. “France and the Gulf share a rich history and common values – we both believe in stability, long-term thinking, and the importance of enduring partnerships,” affirmed H.E. Humaidan.
The Vision Golfe 2026 agenda covered a broad range of sectors, including energy, AI and emerging technologies, industry and manufacturing, logistics and supply chains, food security, healthcare, smart cities, luxury and culture, and human capital development.
Water security and sustainable infrastructure emerged as key priorities, with discussions emphasizing innovation, resource management, and public-private partnerships. As Luis de Lope, CEO of Saur International, noted, “The GCC countries are setting a global benchmark in advancing water security and infrastructure resilience. Events such as Vision Golfe play an important role in strengthening cooperation between France and the GCC, creating opportunities to share expertise, accelerate innovation and deliver long-term economic, environmental and social value.”
The forum also featured discussions on cooperation in space, cybersecurity, and defense technology, with participants exploring opportunities for co-investment, technology transfer, talent development, and research. A networking evening at Paris’s Palais Galliera – Musée de la Mode brought together leaders from the fashion and luxury sectors, including Pascal Morand, President of the French Federation of Haute Couture and Fashion, and H.R.H. Princess Noura bint Faisal Al Saud.
Participants also took part in a workshop with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) focused on investment collaboration, while a visit to French quantum computing company Quandela highlighted France’s capabilities in deep-tech innovation.
The forum took place amid significant geopolitical developments, reinforcing the importance of dialogue and economic cooperation, with speakers emphasizing the resilience of Franco-Gulf economic relations and the role of business partnerships in supporting long-term stability and prosperity.
Vision Golfe 2026 delivered several concrete outcomes, including the signing of a partnership between Quandela and Mekdam Holding Group in the field of quantum technologies between France and Qatar.
The forum also marked a milestone in food security cooperation, with SEMMARIS (Rungis International Market) and Abu Dhabi Food Hub signing a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen agri-food supply chains. Describing the ambition behind the partnership, Bertrand Lambroise, International Director of SEMMARIS, said, “Food infrastructure is not just about buildings or logistics; it’s about connecting people – linking producers with consumers and bridging local excellence with global markets.”
Vision Golfe 2026 also served as a platform for strategic insight. On June 19, Global Health Stratalogues (GHS) launched Roadmap to Entering the KSA Healthcare Market: A Strategic Guide for International Companies, a market intelligence report unveiled during the summit. Produced by GHS, with MedEdge MEA as Media Partner and published in partnership with the Global Health Exhibition (GHE), the report reflects Vision Golfe’s growing role as a forum for thought leadership and sector expertise, particularly in healthcare. Additional partnerships and investment projects are expected to emerge from discussions held during the forum.
As France and the GCC enter a new phase of economic cooperation, Vision Golfe continues to serve as a platform where strategic dialogue is transformed into partnerships, investments, and long-term impact.
More than 1,200 participants, five ministers, and dozens of public and private sector leaders gathered in Paris from June 18-19, 2026 at Vision Golfe 2026.
Held during a week that brought together political, economic, and technology leaders in Europe, and organized by Business France, Vision Golfe 2026 brought together senior government officials, institutional leaders, and business executives from France and all GCC member states.
The forum featured 13 high-level panel discussions, more than 80 speakers, and over 3,500 B2B meetings, reinforcing its role as a key platform for France-Gulf economic dialogue.
Entrepreneur Middle East Staff
Entrepreneur Staff
