France is eyeing contracts for airplanes and railways in Qatar and Saudi Arabia as it seeks to boost trade with the oil-rich states, French Economy Minister Christine Lagarde said, Al-Arab newspaper reported yesterday.
State-owned Qatar Airways and European planemaker Airbus could sign deals during next month’s Paris Air Show, Lagarde told the Doha-based newspaper.
France’s Alstom and state railway company SNCF are eager to take part in a 1.5bn euro ($2.05bn) high-speed train project linking the holy cities of Makkah and Madhina in Saudi Arabia, the minister added.
Qatar Airways plans to push ahead with plans to expand its fleet to over 110 planes by 2013 from around 68 now and make new orders next month, its chief executive said earlier this month.
