Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — Nashwa Taher, the first Saudi woman to be appointed honorary consul, came under spotlight in Jeddah on Sunday. She has been active for years in the commercial sector and is now looking for more opportunities to enhance and diversify the Saudi economy through cooperation with the Netherlands.

Speaking to Saudi Gazette, Joost Reintjes, ambassador of the Netherlands, said Taher was not picked up just because she is a woman but because she is “an energetic businesswoman with good network not only in Jeddah but also in the whole Kingdom.”

Her selection goes also with the changing scenario in the Kingdom and the Vision 2030, he said.

“Things are changing and we thought it was time for a woman to become a consul. We proposed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and now she is a consul,” said the ambassador.

The ambassador was speaking at a gathering celebrating the National Day of the Netherlands. He said that a few months back they have reopened their consulate in Jeddah. He said they seek more business interaction as there are many sectors that they would provide great cooperation opportunities including education, health, entertainment, culture infrastructure and entrepreneurship.

He also noted that some eight Saudi female entrepreneurs have gone to the Netherlands to learn about the country and convey information about the ongoing reforms in Saudi Arabia. There are great opportunities for businesses to both genders in the Netherlands, he added. According to him, there are hundreds of Saudi students in the Netherlands and they mainly major in medicine and technical fields.

Reintjes said Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands have strong and historical relations. "Last year more than 12 trade missions were organized between the two countries. “This week a mission of Saudi female entrepreneurs will visit the Netherlands,” he said adding that according to SAGIA, the Netherlands is the largest European investor in Saudi Arabia. “Together with our Saudi friends and colleagues, we will strive for even more interaction between our two kingdoms,” said the ambassador.

Nashwa Taher said they want to focus on taking care of the Dutch citizens in three regions including Makkah, Madinah, and Hail. She also added that they will be responsible for the expected 3,000 to 4,000 pilgrims this year. “I would like to start an initiative by which we know how many are pilgrims coming, who are they and through which campaigns they are coming.” This, she said, will help them best serve them during the Haj season.

Taher told Saudi Gazette that she has lately joined an intensive course in the Netherlands for honorary consuls to boost bilateral relations. “My concern is commerce, investment, and entrepreneurship. I want to do something about transport, logistics, greenhouses, and agriculture. We are talking about going away from petroleum and this is what King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman want. This is something we can do here in the country with the know-how of Dutch,” explained Taher. She enthusiastically concluded, “I am very honored and proud. I hope to do something to make the two countries cooperate as mush as possible.”