On Thursday October 29, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs are organizing the second edition of the Dutch-Palestinian Bilateral Cooperation Forum. During the event, Maastricht School of Management is organizing three Food Security Seminars. Modernization of agriculture is an important theme in the Palestinian Territories. The seminars are meant to share lessons learned and explore cooperation. Part of the Palestinian participants is interested in how technology can help Palestinian agricultural producers to increase their production. In addition, food producers interested in export possibilities to the Netherlands will participate.

Food Security Seminar 1 (11.00-12.30)

Towards a more competitive Palestinian economy: innovation and business development in the agricultural sector. With an official opening by Dr Sufian Sultan Al-Tamimi, Minister of Agriculture, Palestinian Authority and a keynote address by Prof Wim Naudé, Dean Director, Maastricht School of Management.
The moderator is Mr Jamal Jawabreh, Secretary General, Federation of Palestinian Chambers of Commerce Industry & Agriculture.
Prof Naudé is a renowned expert on innovation and entrepreneurship in – and competitiveness of emerging economies.

Food Security Seminar 2 (13.30-15.00)

University – agroindustry linkages for innovation, business development, and employability. With a discussion moderated by Dr Hanna Abdel Nour, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Al Quds University, and three presentations:

• Horticulture in the Netherlands: innovation and knowledge driven, by Mr Erik Persoon, Co-owner at Forever Plants Group, former Vice Chairman at Flora Holland
• The innovation agenda: Food & Biobased Research at Wageningen UR, by Nina Waldhauer
• Palestinian Academic and Agribusiness Cooperation, introducing the new multi-stakeholder platform, by Mr Huub Mudde, MSM

Food Security Seminar 3 (15.30-16.30)

Post-harvest techniques and marketing. With a discussion facilitated by Mr Thameen Hijawi, Advisor to the Netherlands Representative Office, Ramallah, and three presentations:

• The Netherlands High Value Crops programme, by Mr Azzam Saleh, FAO
• Value Chain Analysis for Natural Ingredients for Food, Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics in Palestine, by Mr Robbie Hogervorst, ProFound Consultants
• Options for Netherlands – Palestinian cooperation on Food security, by Mr Diederik van Groen, Synergie Consultancy in International Cooperation and by Esther Koopmanschap, Centre for Development Innovation, Wageningen UR

Program of the Forum

The Food security seminars are part of a full day interesting program. In the morning, from 09.00, you will be able to get a good picture of the opportunities that the Palestinian market has to offer in the area of private sector development, including a presentation on the financial instruments that the Dutch government has to offer for doing business with the Palestinian Territories.
Prime Minister Rutte and Prime Minister Hamdallah will open the Forum which aims to deepen and broaden the relations between the Netherlands and the Palestinian Territories. A delegation of over 100 Palestinian representatives of businesses, knowledge institution and government bodies, led by President Abbas, will travel to the Netherlands. The forum provides an excellent opportunity for you to establish contacts with potential partners.

Registration

Participation is free of charge, but registration is compulsory. Please follow this link to register. 

Event website (in Dutch)
Please visit the website of RVO (in Dutch) for more information on the event. 

More information
For more information, you can contact Mr Huub Mudde, Senior Project Consultant MSM through