Dutch Ambassador Bids Farewell: Five Fruitful Years in Kuwait
By Reaven D’Souza
Executive Managing Editor
The Dutch Ambassador to Kuwait H E Laurens Westhoff expressed great satisfaction on the completion of his five-year diplomatic tenure in Kuwait which he described as rich and full of opportunities.
Speaking at a press briefing on the completion of this tenure Ambassador Westhoff recalled that he began his term during the COVID-19 pandemic which was a challenging time as he was restrained by engaging directly with people.
He praised the Kuwaiti government’s efficiency in managing the health crisis at that time but pointed out that it was a time when virtual meetings and remote working was the norm. However after almost a one and half year gap things began to normalise and he was able to resume normal diplomatic duties.
Elaborating on his five-year tenure he pointed out that he worked to strengthen relations between the two countries, which dates back more than six decades. “In 2024, we celebrated the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Netherlands and Kuwait. We have sought to develop this relationship through political dialogue, whether in Kuwait or in The Hague.”
During his tenure Ambassador Westhoff noted that new areas of cooperation were also developed such as the energy sector and cooperation with the Kuwait University, Kuwait Fund for Advanced Sciences and Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research. He further explained that these institutions have been linked with Dutch experts to study the prospects of transitioning from dependence on oil to alternative sources such as solar energy and hydrogen, ensuring economic diversification and serving the well-being of citizens.
Ambassador Westhoff also pointed at the several commonalities between the two countries, “Both the Netherlands and Kuwait are relatively small countries compared to their neighbors. We are surrounded by Britain, Germany, and France, and you are surrounded by Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Iran,” he stated adding “This drives us to rely on dialogue, understanding, and diplomacy as essential means to achieve stability and cooperation.”
Bilateral trade stood at around 2.4 billion euros with Dutch exports to Kuwait amounting to approximately €845 million in 2024, which included high-quality agricultural products, machinery, animal equipment, poultry, and pharmaceuticals. While Netherlands imported around 1.6 billion worth of crude oil from Kuwait via the Port of Rotterdam.
Ambassador Westhoff also revealed that out that the Netherlands was the leading country in terms of direct investments in Kuwait, with a total of KD 488 million direct investment through Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA). He emphasized that most of these investments are made through Dutch companies or investment funds, particularly in the oil and Information Technology.
He also pointed to the great appreciation Kuwaitis had for the Netherlands as a tourist destination, stating that the number of Kuwaiti visitors ranges around 14,000 annually, reaching nearly 7,000 in the middle of this year. Further explaining that the Netherlands offers a unique tourist experience. and although its size is only twice that of Kuwait, it abounds with museums and original artworks by icons such as Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Vermeer. “There were also many attractive destinations that tourists could visit and enjoy the rich mix of history, art, architecture, and natural beauty, he added.
On cooperation in the defense sector ambassador Westhoff explained that training programs for the Kuwaiti naval forces were sometimes implemented in the Netherlands, in addition to reciprocal visits, including a visit by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Defense, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Sabah in 2023
On bilateral visits ambassador pointed out that the Dutch Foreign Minister was scheduled to meet his Kuwaiti counterpart in Kuwait next October and further consolidate relations between the two friendly countries
Commenting on the discontinuation of direct flights to Amsterdam by KLM last year he clarified that the decision was not related to Kuwait, but rather to operational difficulties at Schiphol Airport. However he noted that Kuwait Airways continues to operate three flights a week to Amsterdam and currently connects the two countries well.
Regarding his successor, Westhoff revealed that the next ambassador Wierish Ramsoekh, a professional diplomat of Indian origin, born in Suriname and raised in the Netherlands will begin his duties in early September.
In conclusion Ambassador Westhoff who will retire on his return to his country this week praised the excellent bilateral relations with Kuwait and the open arms and genuine hospitality he was accorded everywhere he visited. He was also appreciative of the local media which he said was doing a good job.
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