JEDDAH: A group of 100 young men and women from the historic Al-Ula region will be sent abroad to learn French in the hope of acquiring new skills for the tourism and hospitality sector, according to Mostafa Mihraje, French consul general in Jeddah. The statement came during a meeting that included delegations from the consulate and the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI). Hisham Kaaki, MCCI chairman, was also present at the meeting. Mihraje lauded the Kingdom for its efforts in resolving regional issues and fighting terrorism. “Relations between the two countries are going from strength to strength in the political, economic, trade and developmental spheres,” he said. Mihraje called for bolstering cooperation with the MCCI by establishing a joint center with the consulate that would facilitate trade and visas. “Up to 50,000 pilgrims come from France yearly,” he said. “The consulate issues about 62,000 visas every year.” Kaaki said the chamber would ensure facilitating French language learning for anyone wishing to do so.” “The Kingdom can benefit from France in the fields of tourism, transport, hospitality and training, especially since the country welcomes about 80 million tourists a year,” he said. “Organizing the first exhibition for French catalogs in Makkah will shed light on investment opportunities. This would come at a time in which Makkah is witnessing major urban development, which can also provide ample opportunities between us.”