Dubai, November 3 (BNA) The Dutch Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Tom de Bruyne said that the UAE accounts for 40% of the Netherlands’ exports to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and there is huge potential for expanding economic cooperation between the two countries.
His remarks came during a business forum hosted by Dubai as part of a high-profile trade mission to the UAE that was joined by 50 leading Dutch companies working in key sectors such as water, energy, food, urban design and logistics. The forum was organized by the Consulate General of the Netherlands in Dubai in cooperation with the Dubai Chamber.
The Minister described the Forum and Expo 2020 Dubai as highlights and important components of the commercial mission. He referred to the Dubai Chamber as an “important and long-term” partner of the Netherlands and explained how a solid economic foundation had been established under this bilateral partnership. He noted that the UAE is home to more than 350 Dutch companies, most of which are located in Dubai.
“Trade missions like this are an important tool to further strengthen our economic relations, informing companies and connecting them with new partners. Therefore, I am pleased to introduce these 50 Dutch companies that are here today, active in sectors such as water and energy, and they offer good knowledge and experience and have a prestige,” the Dutch minister said. Good for cooperating with UAE partners in today’s and tomorrow’s challenges.”
Dubai Chamber of Commerce board member, Faisal Belhoul, said that companies specialized in sustainable solutions are well represented in Dubai, describing Expo 2020 Dubai as an ideal platform for establishing cross-border partnerships that promote sustainability and sustainable business solutions.
Belhoul revealed that the UAE’s non-oil trade with the Netherlands has grown steadily in recent years, reaching about $3 billion in 2020, calling on Emirati and Dutch companies to coordinate their efforts in key sectors that focus on sustainability. He added that the Netherlands ranked fifth as the largest foreign investor in Dubai in terms of the number of foreign direct investment projects launched in the emirate.
Belhoul reiterated the Dubai Chamber’s commitment to support Dutch companies and create new channels for these companies to communicate with their Emirati counterparts and access investment opportunities in the Dubai market.
MI