RIYADH, 28 August — A large number of Dutch companies will participate in a high-profile international agriculture exhibition to be organized here under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture and Water later this year. The five-day agriculture and water exhibition, to be inaugurated on Oct. 28, will focus on the Saudi agriculture sector, which continues to grow at a rate of 8.4 percent annually.
“This event will boost relations between the Kingdom and the Netherlands, especially in agriculture sector,” said Jos G. van de Vooren, agriculture counselor at the Netherlands Embassy, here yesterday.
In the interview, Vooren spoke about the new method of artificial insemination among herds at Saudi dairy farms and Floriade 2002, the leading Dutch horticulture exhibition held every 10 years.
The Kingdom and the Netherlands have forged closer relations in the agriculture sector. The two countries signed a letter of intent last year, which is facilitating the training of Saudis in that country as well as the transfer of new Dutch agro-technology.
This agreement also ensures cooperation in several other fields like drug analysis, vaccines, disease diagnosis, plant health and seeds, pesticide management and biological control systems.
He said that major Dutch companies to participate in this forthcoming agriculture show include Dalsem Horticultural Projects, Intervet, Salmet Poultry Equipment, Stork and Systemate Unmafa. This will be in addition to more than 20 other companies, which will feature their products and services through their local partners. The event, covering a space of 20,000 square meters, will be organized at the Riyadh Exhibition Center (REC).
