RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands have set out a new vision of bilateralism with two agreements to be signed today.
The signing of a cooperation agreement between the Dammam-based Prince Muhammad bin Fahd University (PMU) and Maastricht School of Management (MSM) of the Netherlands will be witnessed by Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs Maria van der Hoeven and her 60-member business entourage, who arrived in Riyadh last night.
The MSM, with its presence in about 20 countries, is a key player in the global education field.
“Another treaty, avoidance of double taxation, will be inked by Hoeven herself,” Ambassador-designate Ron Strikker said.
Strikker, who will present his credentials later this month, said that the Dutch minister would visit the Kingdom and Qatar during her weeklong trip to the Gulf region. Her delegation includes representatives from several major Dutch companies operating in energy, water technology, education and investment sectors.
Asked about possible business agreements, Strikker said at least two private sector companies from the Netherlands, Applus RTD and Inventheon, will sign joint venture agreements with Saudi companies during the three-day ministerial visit.
Applus RTD is an independent organization specializing in testing and engineering inspection, while Inventheon supplies hardcore disciplines for engineering.
Asked about the subjects of the talks with Saudi officials during the ministerial meetings, the Dutch envoy said that the visit of Hoeven is primarily intended to boost ties in oil, gas, water and education sectors.
“While our oil reserves in the North Sea are of little importance, the Netherlands is presently the second largest natural gas producer in the European Union and the ninth in the world, accounting for more than 30 percent of EU total annual natural gas production and about 2.7 percent of the annual world total,” he added.
He pointed out that Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands recently organized a major conference on carbon dioxide emissions in Amsterdam and a proposal was made to ensure that the Netherlands plays a major role in pioneering a technology for the capture and storage of CO2. The Netherlands already has five experimental projects in this segment of research.
Hoeven will also visit the Eastern Province to inaugurate an event jointly organized by the Dutch Embassy and the Asharqia Chamber in Dammam. The so-called “Holland Event” will feature business opportunities between the two countries. A separate seminar on investment opportunities and matchmaking sessions for Dutch and Saudi companies will also be held.
