Saudi Arabia’s industry minister visited some of the top Dutch manufacturing companies, a move that is expected to deepen ties between the two countries in the mining and industrial sectors.
Edwin Paalvast, the executive board member and head of international markets at Philips, was present when Bandar Alkhorayef visited the company’s Eindhoven facility. They talked about boosting collaboration in the field of medical devices and bringing this crucial sector to Saudi Arabia.
The purpose of the Saudi minister’s visit to the Netherlands was to strengthen ties and create partnerships in a range of industrial activities between the two nations.
During his visit, Alkhorayef met with FrieslandCampina, a prominent company specialising in dairy products and their byproducts. Conversations were held with Marchel Gorselink, the head of research and development at FrieslandCampina, to discuss the possibility of setting up a research and development hub in the Kingdom to improve the quality of local production and food processing.
The minister also held discussions with David Haines, the CEO of Upfield, regarding potential collaboration in consumer goods and plant-based food manufacturing. They exchanged knowledge to help achieve food security objectives and promote environmental sustainability.
The purpose of this visit is to support growth pathways in promising industries between the two countries and to complement Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the role of its mining and industrial sectors in the national economy. Along with increasing the penetration of Saudi non-oil exports into Dutch and European markets, it also aims to draw in high-calibre investments.
Alkhorayef concentrated on bolstering bilateral trade relations and investigating cooperation opportunities in industry, mining, trade, and investment during his meetings with Dutch ministers, including the Minister of Foreign Trade and Development, Liesje Schreinemacher, and the Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, Micky Adriaansens.
They also talked about forming strategic alliances in a number of industries, such as manufacturing, cutting-edge technology, and renewable energy.
The visit showcases Saudi Arabia’s distinct prospects and competencies in the mining and industrial domains, in addition to its environmental preservation endeavours and climate change programmes, including the Saudi Green and Middle East Green initiatives.