Dubai, Dutch firms explore synergies

Majed Al Shamsi and Dr Ahmed Aboutaleb sign an MoU for cooperation between Dubai and the Netherlands in the presence of Dr Raja Easa Al Gurg and Renee Jones-Bos. — Supplied photo

Dubai — The Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry has signed a memorandum of intent for cooperation with Netherlands Chamber of Commerce to enhance business relations and build closer ties between their business communities.

Majed Al Shamsi, vice chairman of Dubai Chamber, accompanied by Dr Raja Easa Al Gurg, member of the executive committee of Dubai Chamber and president of Dubai Business Women Council, and Dr Eesa Mohammed Bastaki, president of the University of Dubai, received the high-level delegation from the Netherlands, led by Renee Jones-Bos, vice minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and including Dr Ahmed Aboutaleb, mayor of the city of Rotterdam, Kingdom of the Netherlands.

During the meeting, officials discussed strengthening bilateral trade relations between Dubai and the Netherlands in trade, transfer of technology, maritime, education, innovation, smart city, logistics, healthcare, aviation and CSR. In addition, Jones-Bos exchanged ideas with Al Gurg on the role and development of women in business.

Al Shamsi said: “Today’s memorandum of intent cooperation will strengthen Dubai Chamber’s ties with the Netherlands and help bring our business communities closer together.

“Dutch businesses play an important role in Dubai’s business community and we hope to see more cooperation and knowledge-sharing through our efforts,” Al Shamsi said.

Currently, Dubai Chamber has 278 Dutch companies among its members, which are supported by the Netherlands Business Council, established in 1997. It is one of Dubai Chamber’s 43 country-specific business councils and 27 sector-specific business groups working to support their respective members across the business community.

Al Shamsi also updated the visiting delegation on Dubai-Netherlands total non-oil trade in 2014, which valued Dh11.9 billion, a 33 per cent increase on 2013. The Netherlands is Dubai’s 27th largest trade partner.

Jones-Bos said: “The Netherlands and the UAE have good long-standing relations, but we are here on this delegation mission to meet our friends and strengthen our relationship.”

Jones-Bos said she would like to see the Netherlands rise to be within Dubai’s top 20 trade partners during the next few years. She said that 40 per cent of the Netherlands’ Gulf trade currently comes through the UAE, adding that Dubai was an important trade partner for the Netherlands.

She encouraged further cooperation on energy, particularly renewables and innovation.

Al Gurg provided an overview of the work of Dubai Business Women Council to support the development of female business leaders and entrepreneurs in the city and build connections internationally. She also spoke about her role as deputy chairperson of the board of directors, Dubai Healthcare City Authority, and the future of healthcare services in Dubai.

Dr. Aboutaleb spoke about his role as the mayor of Rotterdam and the future challenges facing city leaders. He urged cooperation with Dubai in the fields of maritime, education, SMEs and new technology.

— business@khaleejtimes.com