Ways in which this country and the Netherlands could work together were discussed recently, when the Ambassador from the Netherlands to Barbados, Jules Bijl, met with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Maxine McClean.

During talks which were held in the Minister???s office at Culloden Road, St. Michael, the two discussed possible collaboration between the islands of the Netherland Antilles, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Barbados.

One area of shared interest was horticulture. Senator McClean explained that this sector was important to Barbados, particularly as it related to the tourist industry.

She explained that a large number of flowers were used in the hotels yearly and that Barbados participated annually in the Chelsea Flower Show in London.

The two officials also discussed other areas related to the tourist industry, including the possibility of having dual destination arrangements with Barbados and the islands in the Netherland Antilles, as well as increasing the arrival of visitors from the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

They also spoke about the devastating effects of Tropical Storm Erika on Dominica, and the ongoing relief efforts by neighbouring Caribbean islands. Mr. Bijl expressed concern with flooding in the region as many of the islands were below sea level. He noted that this was an area of mutual interest that the countries could work together to address.

Barbados and the Netherlands established diplomatic relations in 1969.

kim.ramsay-moore@barbados.gov.bb

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