Newly appointed Netherlands ambassador visits SVG

Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne on Tuesday, March 8, met with the newly appointed Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to St Vincent and the Grenadines Jules Biji.

Ambassador Biji presented his credentials during a meeting at Government House and said his country is hoping to help with capacity building programmes here.{{more}}

Commenting, the Governor General stressed that this country has had a strong relationship with Holland, “and we are hoping that we can continue this amicable relationship for a long time.”

He encouraged the Ambassador to visit these shores more often, as “you can help us to prosper, as we support you in the different international arenas.”

Sir Frederick also enquired about possible assistance for a local football club for young boys.

In response, Ambassador Hiji said that they can offer a training of trainers programme with Dutch former professionals who are licensed to train.

“There are some very famous ones and we can bring them. We [perhaps] can do clinics,” said the ambassador.

Later that day, during a welcome cocktail at Hotel Alexandrina, Ambassador Hiji commented: “Our Caribbean countries, Aruba, Curacao and St Maarten, they have applied to become associate members of CARICOM … and I would like to see that happen and make a good contribution to all the challenges the Caribbean territories face.”

The ambassador is based in Trinidad and Tobago and has responsibility for eight countries. After leaving St Vincent and the Grenadines, he travelled to Grenada and St Lucia, while he has already been to Barbados, St Kitts/Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda.

Ambassador Hiji was born in Rotterdam and has worked in Curacao. He said that he fell in love with the Caribbean while working there. He added, “St Vincent and the Grenadines reminds me of Aruba. It seems very safe and I like the original buildings.”

The Netherlands is represented locally by honorary consul Camille Crichton.(LC)