RIYADH: The Embassy of the Netherlands in Riyadh hosted a signing ceremony renewing the Honorary Consulate Agreement for five years signed by both honorary consuls on Tuesday.
“Today we are here for a signing ceremony with our two honorary consuls, one based in the Eastern Province and one in the Hijaz region, to re-arrange another five years of cooperation here,” Janet Alberda, Dutch ambassador to the Kingdom, told Arab News.
Through the agreement, the honorary consuls will continue to support the embassy’s mission in the Kingdom through sharing networks and supporting economic and governmental initiatives.
Nashwa Taher, honorary consul for Makkah and Jeddah region, and Sulaiman Al-Suhaimi, honorary consul for the Eastern Province, were present alongside the Dutch ambassador, and Hazim Alrasheed, general director of diplomatic representation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The honorary consuls play a pivotal role in the Netherlands’ international network. One of their primary missions is to support trade collaborations between the two countries and aid in facilitating opportunities to strengthen bilateral relations.
“This is a renewal made by our King Willem-Alexander, so this means that there is a lot of recognition and a lot of trust. This is a thank you — appreciation for the work that we do with these individuals,” the ambassador explained.
Honorary Consul Sulaiman Al Suhaimi highlighted that for the last 90 years, Al Suhaimi Holding Co. has played an important role in the economic and diplomatic development of the Kingdom through the sharing of networks and knowledge of the local financial sector.
“Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands have maintained a strong friendship for a long time,” Al Suhaimi said, citing the historical relations between the two countries.
“Saudi Arabia always builds its relations on mutual respect and trust,” he added, emphasizing the importance the Kingdom places on developing trade and friendly relations with other countries.
The ceremony began with a video speech from Guusje Korthals Altes, deputy director of the MENA department of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, thanking the honorees for their work.
“This agreement signing means a lot — I am so proud that the Dutch government has the trust in me to continue and be a part of this kind of relegation between both countries,” Taher said.
The ceremony is a renewal of the 2017 Honorary Consulate Agreement, which will renew the cooperation between the two countries until 2027.
“I am so proud that the Saudi government has given me the go-ahead to be the first woman as the honorary consul, and this is an achievement for me that I will be proud of my whole life,” Taher added.
