AMSTERDAM: The Netherlands, aiming to become a distribution centre for liquefied natural gas, yesterday signed a memorandum with top LNG producer Qatar to strengthen their energy ties, the Dutch economy ministry said.
“It’s in line with other policy to intensify relations with gas producing countries. It’s also due to security of supply reasons,” a spokesman for the ministry said.
The memorandum of understanding was signed by Dutch Economy Minister Maria van der Hoeven and Qatar’s visiting Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Industry HE Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah.
Last year, the Dutch government approached other gas producing countries, such as Algeria, to line up LNG supplies as part of its ambition to turn the Netherlands into a distribution centre in north-western Europe.
Companies have proposed building three LNG import terminals in the Netherlands in the coming two to three years.
The Netherlands has shifted its gas policy to increase imports while keeping its declining reserves, Europe’s second biggest after Norway, as strategic stocks and an important source of revenue.
The ministry said Dutch companies also had a substantial interest in Qatar, the world’s biggest producer of LNG.
Dutch exports to Qatar were worth 219mn euros ($294mn) in 2006, while imports from Qatar amounted to 19mn euros, the ministry said. – Reuters
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