Prime Highlights-
- Alkhorayef explores research and development center partnership with FrieslandCampina in the Kingdom.
- Minister discusses metal processing and recycling investment cooperation at the Port of Rotterdam.
Key Facts-
- Saudi industry minister Bandar Alkhorayef visits Philips, FrieslandCampina and Upfield in the Netherlands.
- Visit aims to expand Saudi non-oil exports into Dutch and European markets.
Background-
Saudi Arabia is building stronger industrial and mining ties with the Netherlands, after the Kingdom’s industry minister toured several major Dutch manufacturing companies to widen cooperation between the two nations.
Bandar Alkhorayef toured the Philips Medical Devices plant in Eindhoven and met Edwin Paalvast, executive board member and head of international markets at Philips, where both sides discussed closer collaboration on medical devices and bringing more of that manufacturing into Saudi Arabia.
The trip was aimed at forming new partnerships across a range of industrial activities shared by the two countries.
Alkhorayef also stopped at FrieslandCampina, a major name in dairy manufacturing, holding talks with Marchel Gorselink, general manager of research and development, on the idea of setting up a dedicated research and development hub inside the Kingdom to improve local food processing and production standards.
He went on to meet David Haines, chief executive of Upfield, where the two discussed teaming up on consumer goods and plant-based food production, trading knowledge to support shared goals around food security and sustainability.
The visit fits into Saudi Arabia’s broader push to grow its industrial and mining base, draw in high-value investment, and get more Saudi non-oil exports into Dutch and wider European markets.
Alkhorayef held further meetings with Dutch Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Liesje Schreinemacher and Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy Micky Adriaansens, centered on trade, mining, industry and investment ties, along with future work in manufacturing, advanced technology and renewable energy.
He also spoke with officials at the Port of Rotterdam about expanding logistics cooperation and looked at investment openings with Dutch firms in metal processing and recycling.
