France Targets UAE Capital Inflow Ahead of Paris Investment Summit

France has intensified economic diplomacy with the UAE to secure new capital commitments ahead of a high-level investment summit in Paris. French officials are targeting expanded partnerships with UAE sovereign wealth funds and private entities to bolster domestic industrial and technology projects. Bilateral Trade and Investment Targets The diplomatic push precedes the annual "Choose France" summit, where international investors gather to discuss multi-billion euro projects. Bilateral trade between France and the UAE reached approximately €7 billion in 2023, driven by significant transactions in the aerospace and defense sectors. Major UAE entities, including Mubadala Investment Company and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), remain primary targets for French efforts to secure funding for its green energy transition and semiconductor manufacturing. The current outreach builds on the 2021 strategic agreement where the UAE pledged €15 billion in investments into the French economy. Current negotiations focus on expanding this portfolio into artificial intelligence, decarbonized aviation, and urban infrastructure. France has maintained its position as the top European…