Dutch agriculture producers are looking to the Arabian Gulf to help offset the effect of tightening European sanctions against Russia on its €75 billion (Dh356.16bn) export industry.
The Netherlands is the world’s largest exporter of agricultural products and exports food worth hundreds of millions of dollars to Russia every year.
“We made a lot of effort to further improve our relations with Russia and we hope as soon as possible to normalise our relations,” said Henk Kamp, the Dutch minister of economic affairs.
“We export all over the world and so if we have problems with an important customer, the other customers become more important.”
The minister held meetings in Dubai and Abu Dhabi this week to explore greater cooperation between the two countries in agriculture, renewables energy and other industries.
“We are seeking ways, together with the UAE Government and private partners, to work together on sustainable agriculture,” Mr Kamp said.
“The first horticulture projects are now under way and we have had some promising discussions on fisheries.”
The UAE already imports more than €418 million in agricultural products from the Netherlands.
Russian sanctions could cost the Netherlands €300m in lost business this year, according to government estimates.
The European Union and United States imposed sanctions after the shooting down on July 17 of a Malaysian Airlines passenger jet, allegedly by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.
EU ambassadors were due to resume talks on fresh sanctions today in Brussels after failing to agree to a deal on Wednesday.
“Some countries are asking more time,” said the Italian foreign minister, Federica Mogherini.
The EU imposed a range of sanctions against Russia in July, barring five state-owned banks in the country from selling shares or bonds in Europe and halting the export of civilian equipment with military uses. Russia hit back by banning imports of some EU farm goods, hurting Dutch farmers more than other agricultural exporters in Europe.
scronin@thenational.ae
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