PARIS: Philippe Aghion is a prominent French economist, internationally recognized for his work on growth and innovation. He is a professor at the College de France and the London School of Economics.
His research has profoundly revitalized Joseph Schumpeter’s theory of “creative destruction.” It demonstrates how innovation — stimulated by competition and guided by the government — is the true engine of modern economic growth. His major contributions were honored with the Nobel Prize in Economics. Arab News en Francais had the opportunity to meet with him in Paris.
In his view, France possesses the talent, technology and know-how; Saudi Arabia possesses the capital, investment capacity and industrial momentum; bringing them together could help to finance a new generation of innovations, particularly in AI, while serving as a catalyst for French economic and institutional reforms. Cooperation between the two countries could thus build on this complementarity between capital, skills and technologies.
Can Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries achieve “leapfrogging”?
Yes. Saudi Arabia has a major advantage; its financial resources and industrial experience can help accelerate innovation. France, for its part, possesses the necessary scientific and technological expertise.
