Dutch business delegation seeks stronger ties with UAE

The Dutch team held an informal meeting at the office of the Minister for Government Sector Development in Dubai. Mr. Abdulla Al Daboos, Director General of Emirates Post, welcomed the delegation on behalf of the Minister, H.E. Sultan Saeed Al Mansoori, and highlighted the progress made in business tie-ups since the January visit by a high-level UAE delegation to Holland.

Mr. Roel Gans, Director, Ministry of Transport, Public Works & Water Management, Netherlands, and Mr. David de Waal, the Dutch Ambassador to UAE, attended the discussions, along with Mr. Bryan Moulds, Country General Manager, TNT Express.

Mr. Al Daboos pointed out that one of the outcomes of the visit to Holland was the cementing of ties between Emirates Post and TNT Express, and revealed that the two sides were discussing new business alliances. He briefed the Dutch officials on Emirates Post's expansion strategy that includes logistics, express and financial services. Mr. Al Daboos underlined the need for setting deadlines for projects in different fields to achieve concrete results.

Other UAE officials present at the meeting included Mr. Adnan Ali Al Abbar, CEO, Port Planning & Information Systems Department, Dubai Ports Authority; Mr. Abdulmajid Abdulrazzak Al Khaja, Director of Dubai Metro, Road Transport Authority and Mr. Khalfan M. Belhoul, Deputy Manager, Airport Systems, Department of Civil Aviation.

The UAE officials discussed opportunities for cooperation in automated shuttle service for Jebel Ali Port, mass transit system connecting Eastern and Western parts of Sheikh Zayed Road, including the Burj Dubai development, and an 'automated people mover' system for moving staff within the Dubai International Airport. They praised the expertise of Dutch companies and pointed out that Dubai's fast-track development presented excellent opportunities for Dutch firms to do business in.

The high-level Dutch delegation to the UAE was led by Mrs. Karla Peijs, Minister for Transport and Public Works. The Minister held talks with top UAE leaders as part of her visit, and initiated discussions on several areas of mutual collaboration.