The Netherlands and UAE: Business ties that help reap rewards and lifelong friendships

The Netherlands and UAE: Business ties that help reap rewards and lifelong friendships

Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO and MD, DP World GCC, hosts Dr Carel Richter, Consul-General of the Netherlands, alongwith representatives of both teams during the Consul General’s visit to the DP World headquarters in Dubai last year

The Netherlands sees excellent representation in the UAE through the presence of Dutch expats in the country. What role does the Netherlands Consul General’s office play in getting Dutch citizens to settle down here?

We count around 7,500 Dutch nationals as residents and over 350 Dutch companies in the UAE, quite a sizeable Dutch community and particularly in Dubai. As such, we have two organisations we direct Dutch nationals to in order to help them integrate into the Dutch community here: Club NL (the Dutch Club that was formed in 1984 for social purposes) and the Netherlands Business Council (the Dutch business club that was formed in 1997).

Indeed, the UAE has become the hub for Dutch businesses in the region. I believe that there are several elements that may have contributed, such as the quality of life and the numerous opportunities for growth

- Dr Carel Richter, Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the UAE



Thanks to these organisations, as well as