RIYADH, 31 August 2004 — The Netherlands plans to revoke or revise its negative travel advisory, which will encourage Dutch businessmen and nationals to visit Saudi Arabia, the country’s ambassador said.

The Riyadh-based agriculture office of the Netherlands, which moved its operation to Abu Dhabi after a spate of terror attacks in Riyadh, will also be relocated to the Saudi capital after normalcy is restored.

Nicolaas Beets, the newly appointed Dutch ambassador, told Arab News yesterday that “the security situation is improving in Saudi Arabia, which is evident from the fact that each day passes without any terror attack or any ugly incident”.

“Moreover, we have been encouraged by the remarks made by Crown Prince Abdullah who has vowed to fight terrorism to the finish,” said Beets.

Saudi Arabia, he said, has been home to over 400 Dutch nationals. The agriculture office in Riyadh, which is represented by a counselor-level official and other support staff, has been playing a major role in promoting Saudi-Dutch relations in the agriculture sector. Dutch expertise is currently being used by the Kingdom in the fields of animal husbandry, poultry farming and food processing.

The Netherlands has also started training programs for Saudi agriculture personnel including officials of the Saudi Arabian Agriculture Bank.

He said bilateral relations have been very cordial marked by common positions on a host of regional and international issues. In this context, he referred to the Dutch carrier KLM, which is the first foreign airline to fly in the Saudi sky, and the Saudi-Hollandi Bank.

On commercial front, Ambassador Beets said the two countries have forged closer relations. Two-way trade exceeds three billion euros annually with the balance of trade heavily in favor of the Kingdom. Saudi exports comprising mainly oil and petrochemicals represent nearly 66 percent of the trade. He said that Holland has been exporting accessories, machinery and manure for Saudi flower growers. It has also been offering expertise to local florists.

The Netherlands is the center of 70 percent of world’s floral trade. There are more than 3,000 flower growers, 16,000 florists and landscape contractors in the ornamental horticulture sector. The Netherlands Embassy organizes a annual floral contest in Riyadh which is considered the most prestigious floral event in the Arab world.