Overview
- Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif met newly appointed Dutch Ambassador Robert-Jan Siegert in Lahore on December 12 to outline an expanded partnership.
- Both sides agreed to increase Dutch support for higher education, technical training, water management and joint research.
- Punjab expressed interest in adapting the Netherlands’ “Room for the River” approach to strengthen flood resilience and water governance.
- The province aims to leverage Dutch agricultural technology to boost potato yields and to advance Suthra Punjab, Smart Irrigation and Climate-Resilient Agriculture initiatives.
- Maryam Nawaz urged the resumption of direct Pakistan–Netherlands flights and highlighted growing business engagement, citing Dutch delegations at TEXPO and FoodAg and the Netherlands’ role as Pakistan’s second-largest European trading partner.