Dutch-Omani relations span over 150 years, the two countries’ quest for trade and their joint efforts towards global entrepreneurship has intertwined and blossomed ever since they shared part of this history together, now it goes beyond trade and logistics. The Dutch and Omani companies are continuously venturing together in many fields such as strengthening their cultural relations.
In March 2015, we organized with Bait Al Zubair and the Cobra Museum in the Netherlands an exhibition “Colours of Cobra Art” which was an ideal opportunity for artists from all over the world, including Omani and Dutch artists, to work together; aspiring new artists to try new techniques, tools and ideas in their work. The contemporary art works displayed were truly a meeting ground of Omani and Dutch cultures. The recent visit of the Minister in April 2015 was aimed at further strengthening cooperation, in particular the fields of infrastructure and logistics. Both sectors are identified as so called ‘top sectors’ within the Dutch framework. Resulting from the Ministers visit, two training programmes have been developed. The first training programme took place in October 2015 with delegates sent by Oman Logistics Institute coming from all relevant Ministries in Oman with a focus on logistics. The training took place in cooperation with NHTV in Breda, The Netherlands. The second training will take place in the first half of 2016 between the statistical office in the Netherlands and the statistical office in Oman – National Center for Statistics and Information. In the statistical cooperation, the focus will be on calculating the contribution of logistics to the GDP, where both institutes can learn from each other’s methods.
Major areas of trade and investment between The Kingdom Netherlands and Oman have been primarily focused on the logistics, marine and oil & gas sectors. A prime example of the Omani-Dutch partnership in business is 50:50 joint venture structure of the Port of Sohar & Freezone between the Omani government and the Port of Rotterdam.
The Netherlands is world renowned for its commitment to innovative and sustainable business-mindedness. On that note, a Business Innovation Forum is being organized by the Embassy, which aims to build comprehensive discussions and exchange innovative ideas in the areas of R&D, logistics, maritime & off-shore to help transform key sectors towards efficient growth. This forum will feature a global and local perspective on open innovation that aims to provide private and government sector insights and recommendations for collaborative approach.
Looking into the future, it is clear that the Dutch have much to offer in the realm of healthcare in the Sultanate. Consistently placed in the top five for healthcare in the world, The Netherlands stands as an example of what quality and innovation means for the healthy development of a nation. Centuries of friendly trade relationships resulted in a bilateral agreement in 1877 signed by the Sultan and the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs. Today, centuries later, bilateral consultations between Oman and the Netherlands take place annually. During these meetings, the good relationship between the two countries is reaffirmed while it also is a platform allowing for exchange on current regional and international issues. Dutch-Omani political and economic partnerships are founded on unique shared national features.
But Dutch-Omani collaboration goes further than being merely economical. There is a great potential in the area of corporate social responsibility (CSR); the Netherlands and Oman can support each other in promoting more sustainable ways of doing business that are beneficial for companies, the environment and the society.
The two countries have established strategic partnerships based on mutual trust and mutual benefit underpinned by strong cooperation in political, economic, trade, and cultural areas. But….most of all, our people share a profound friendship. The basis of the cooperation between the two countries is the long dated back bilateral relations, the profound friendship which makes cooperation and doing business more attractive. The Dutch government is facilitating and supporting further exchange in all fields, including the economic field, by investing in already established relationships and developing new ones within the larger Omani society and in particular within its business community. In addition to this, we try and support Dutch business interested in developing activities in Oman.
