The European Council has announced that Saudi Arabia will host the second European Union–Gulf Cooperation Council (EU–GCC) Summit on 24 October 2026, bringing together leaders from EU member states and GCC countries.

The summit will build on efforts to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two regions and advance cooperation across areas of shared interest, including economic and trade relations, energy, climate and the environment, research, as well as dialogue on regional and international issues.

The summit is also relevant to Saudi–Dutch relations, given the Netherlands’ membership in the European Union and the opportunities offered by the broader EU–GCC framework to strengthen economic ties and explore further cooperation in trade, investment, energy and sustainability.

Source: European Council

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2026/09/04/second-eu-gcc-summit-to-take-place-on-24-october-in-saudi-arabia/

Dutch RVO to Organize Innovation Mission to Saudi Arabia and the UAE

The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) is preparing to organize a specialized innovation mission to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates from 15 to 19 November 2026, aimed at strengthening cooperation in cold chain solutions, post-harvest technologies, and sustainable agri-logistics.

The mission will include a program in Riyadh from 15 to 17 November, focusing on cooling and storage technologies, smart packaging, food loss reduction, and digital monitoring systems. It will also explore the use of artificial intelligence in logistics planning, route optimization, and predictive maintenance.

The mission aims to connect Dutch companies, knowledge institutions, and research organizations with partners in Saudi Arabia, while exploring opportunities for pilot projects, research and development, and long-term public-private cooperation.

The initiative builds on the existing cooperation between the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture and the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in the field of agricultural and food innovation.

Registration for the mission is open until 15 September 2026.

Source: Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO)

https://english.rvo.nl/events/innovation-mission-saudi-arabia-uae

Recent official data published by DataSaudi, a platform affiliated with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Economy and Planning, highlights the scale of trade between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands.

According to the data, Saudi exports to the Netherlands reached SAR 847.8 million in April 2026, accounting for approximately 0.8% of the Kingdom’s total exports during the month. Meanwhile, Saudi imports from the Netherlands amounted to SAR 778.4 million, resulting in a trade surplus of approximately SAR 69.4 million in favor of Saudi Arabia.

The data also showed that Saudi non-oil exports to the Netherlands reached SAR 168.7 million in May 2026. Chemical industry products led non-oil exports at SAR 62.5 million, followed by animal or vegetable fats, oils and waxes and related products at SAR 34.7 million, and base metals and articles thereof at SAR 20.2 million.

These figures highlight the scale of commercial relations between Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands and reflect the diversity of trade flows between the two countries.

Source: DataSaudi – Ministry of Economy and Planning, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

https://datasaudi.sa/ar/bilateral/netherlands