On this occasion CEOs/Chairmen of some of the major global companies were present including: Akzo Nobel, ING Groep, Philips, SHV, Stork, Royal Dutch Shell, Unilever, Siemens, P&O Nedlloyd, Van Oord, Koninklijke Vopak.
Also attending this dinner were senior Dutch Government officials from ministries of foreign affairs, economic affairs and the Queen's cabinet as well as representatives of key trade and commercial bodies in the Netherlands.
President General Pervez Musharraf addressed this select audience and spoke on the following key issues: Pakistan's geo-political importance as a gateway to the Central Asian States; Pakistan's stance on war against terrorism vis-à-vis being a front line state; improving-economic fundamentals of Pakistan and the Government's strategy to foster further growth; strategy of the government with respect to poverty alleviation, education, and development of a skilled labour force.
The President also spoke about the steps that have been taken to attract and encourage foreign investment in key sectors of the economy.
Mr Rijkman Groenink also addressed the audience and thanked the President for extending the opportunity to ABN Amro Bank in hosting this event and expressed the Bank's commitment to Pakistan.-PR