Minister of Economic Affairs, Mrs. Maria van der Hoeven, will visit Saudi Arabia on January 19th. The objective of this visit is to strengthen, broaden and intensify the relationship with Saudi Arabia.

The Netherlands’s geographic position and the extensive Dutch energy industry give the Netherlands a major role in North-western Europe’s energy security. This offers possibilities for increasing cooperation in the field of energy at both a governmental and private level. Saudi Arabia is a focus country for the Netherlands.

Minister van der Hoeven will discuss with H.E. Minister Al-Naimi amongst other things the future architecture of  the consumer/producer dialogue in the International Energy Forum, the energy market and the 4 Kingdoms' Initiative on Carbon Capture and Storage.

She will further speak to HH  Prince Saud Al Thunayan, Chairman of SABIC, Acting Minister of Commerce & Industry Dr. Saud al-Mat’hami and H.E. Mr. Amr Al Dabbagh, Governor SAGIA.

Mission in the Water sector
In her meeting with Dr. Saud al-Mat’hami, acting Minister of Commerce & Industry, she will announce the upcoming mission by a consortium of leading Dutch water companies to Saudi Arabia, funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Purpose of this mission is to present a masterplan to prevent future floodings in the Jeddah region. The Dutch water sector was also involved in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina.

Furthemore the Minister will announce the participation of universities from the Netherlands at the International Exhibition for Higher Education and a large delegation of Dutch companies in the oil, gas and power sectors visiting the Eastern Province.

- Universities from the Netherlands to participate at the International Exhibition for Higher Education

- Oil & Gas trade delegation visiting Eastern Province 6-8 February