As honorary patron of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion, H.R.H. Princess Maxima of the Netherlands participated in the International Monetary Fund (IMF)/World Bank seminar in Washington D.C. on September 23, 2011.
The theme for the interactive meeting was, Financial Inclusion: Advancing the Global Challenge, where panelists discussed various issues and were asked questions such as “What are the key obstacles to accelerating progress toward financial inclusion? How can they be overcome?” and “What is the role of the private sector in closing the gap in access to finance for households and businesses? How can these commitments be encouraged?”
To view photos as well as to read an article about the seminar/meeting please click the links below:
On September 23, 2011, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands opened the first Dutch LNG (liquified natural gas) terminal in Rotterdam. The purpose for the creation of the LNG terminal is due to the “…rising demand for and declining production of natural gas in northwest Europe.”
Per a press release regarding this afternoon’s event:
Developed by N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie and Royal Vopak. Hundreds of foreign dignitaries, national and international guests amongst others attended the official opening ceremony.
The terminal will serve as an independent distribution point for European energy companies to address the rising demand for and declining production of natural gas in northwestern Europe. As an independent import terminal for LNG, Gate terminal will be an important factor for the European receipt of gas from other overseas territories. The terminal will both increase the security of supplies and enable new players to enter the European gas market.
Gate terminal has already began to receive LNG by ship, which is subsequently regasified and prepared for distribution to the Dutch gas transport network and further transport to northwestern European markets. With an initial throughput capacity of 12 billion cubic meters per annum (equals 25% of annual Dutch gas consumption), the terminal consists of three storage tanks with a total storage capacity of 540,000 cubic meters, two jetties and a process area where the LNG is being regasified. In the future, the terminal’s throughput capacity can be increased to 16 billion cubic meters per annum by building a fourth tank. Gate terminal dovetails with Dutch and European energy policies, built on the pillars of strategic diversification of gas supplies, sustainability, safety and environmental awareness.
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation, Maxime Verhagen, ‘Gate terminal marks a crucial next step in the development of the Netherlands as the gas hub of Northwest Europe. Over the last decade, gas has changed from a local energy source into a global commodity. More and more countries are linking into a worldwide gas web – a web in which the Netherlands as home to Gate terminal, the Gas Access To Europe, can play a pivotal role.’
Paul van Gelder, Chairman of the Executive Board of Gasunie and Eelco Hoekstra, Chairman of the Executive Board of Vopak, jointly commented, ‘Gate terminal fits perfectly with the aims of the Dutch gas roundabout: LNG can be transported from all over the world, providing additional sources of supply for Northwest Europe. This diversification improves not only the security of supply, but also liquidity in the market, a factor which is becoming increasingly important in the European gas market. This first LNG terminal in the Netherlands was initiated by Gasunie and Vopak because we saw the perfect opportunity to offer new services to our customers. Our shared vision has certainly been one of the success factors of the project.’
According to the official website for the Dutch royal family, Het Koninklijk Huis, H.R.H. Princess Maxima of the Netherlands received a first edition of the book, All Poems, by the late Argentinean writer, Jorge Luis Borges.
Borges is considered one of the most important Latin American writers of the twentieth century, though he saw himself primarily as a poet. All Poems brings together about five hundred poems he wrote. Part of that work has not been translated into Dutch. source
To view one dinky photo please click here. To learn more about the late author, Jorge Luis Borges, pleaseclick here.
On September 20, 2011, Prinsjesdag took place at the Ridderzal (Hall of Knights) in Den Haag, Netherlands. All the major Dutch royals attended this important event including Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, H.R.H. The Prince of Oranje, and H.R.H. Princess Maxima of the Netherlands.
After arriving in the golden carriage to the Ridderzaal, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands addressed members of the Dutch Senate as well as members of the House of Representatives. In her speech — written by the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte — the queen spoke about tough economic times that will affect many in the Netherlands:
The year ahead will be a year of tough savings measures that will hit everybody. The economic and social uncertainties are putting our stamina to the test. The government is making an appeal to everyone to contribute to this — an appeal in this difficult period for everyone to build together a stronger society and a stronger economy in the best traditions of our country.
Remaining upbeat about the situation, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix went on to state, “Our starting position is positive. The government is looking forward to an involved and open exchange of views… We would like to work with you towards solutions which are widely accepted.”
There are lots of photos from the Prinsjesdag 2011 so please click the links below to view.
The 2011-2012 season of the Dutch program, Blauw Bloed, began earlier this week, and now here is your chance to watch this fantastic show online. In this week’s episode host, Jeroen Snel, travels to Buenos Aires, Argentina, to visit H.R.H. Princess Maxima’s favorite places to stop by when she is in town. Also, there are quick reports regarding the Belgian royal family, Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands and much more.
On September 13, 2011, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands along with H.R.H. Prince Willem-Alexander of Orange and H.R.H. Princess Maxima of the Netherlands attended the 50th Anniversary of the Het Nationale Ballet (Dutch National Ballet) in Amsterdam.
The gala celebration took place at the Amsterdam Music Theatre were over 80 dancers from this prestigious company performed various numbers such as “Sleeping Beauty” and “Giselle” according to the online newspaper, RNW.nl.
To view photos please click here. To learn more about the Het Nationale Ballet please visit their official websitehere.
On September 12, 2011, H.R.H. Princess Maxima of the Netherlands inaugurated the new Van Leeuwen Buizen Groep (VLBG) headquarters in Zwijndrecht.
According to the official site for the company, Van Leeuwen Buizen Groep, Princess Maxima:
… opened the new building by cutting a ribbon in front of employees, customers and clients of Van Leeuwen from home and abroad. Balloons, confetti and music underscored the celebratory moment. The Princess was given a tour of the new office building and the nearby pipes and storage business.
To view photos and to learn more about the VLBG company please click the links below:
The Royal Correspondent 
