News item | 6/14/2023 | 14:26
Belgium is an attractive market close to home for many Dutch entrepreneurs. In particular, the demand for innovative solutions for a rapid transition to a climate-neutral society offers many business opportunities. From 21 to 22 June, more than 180 Dutch companies and knowledge institutions will join a trade mission to Belgium. Climate technology is the central theme.
The mission is led by Minister Liesje Schreinemacher for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation. Ingrid Thijssen, chairman of employers’ organization VNO-NCW, is business mission leader. Minister Piet Adema of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality is also taking part in the mission. The mission will take place parallel to the state visit of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Máxima to Belgium.
Collaboration between frontrunners
Companies and knowledge institutions that are active in green hydrogen and in sustainable agriculture, construction and mobility participate in the mission. The Netherlands and Belgium are leaders in Europe in the field of science, innovations and the circular economy.
Minister Schreinemacher: “The trade mission and the state visit are confirmation of the excellent relations with our southern neighbours. We are often partners at European level, but also when it comes to trade: it is an SME market par excellence. We both face the same task when it comes to the energy transition and reducing CO2 emissions. Belgium has a great demand for smart solutions for this. There are therefore plenty of opportunities for innovative Dutch companies. The mission is to help our business community connect and capitalize on opportunities. Collaboration between Dutch and Belgian companies and knowledge institutions is also good for our joint competitive position worldwide.”
Minister Adema: ”We already maintain very good relations with Belgium, of course. And we are faced with similar challenges in agriculture: offering farmers prospects for the future in order to contribute to sustainable food production. During the mission, a large delegation of chain parties, knowledge institutes, NGOs and experts from farming practice will talk to each other to learn from each other and exchange ideas. For example, about sustainable agricultural revenue models, increasing support for the agricultural transition and further improving the agricultural chains in Belgium and the Netherlands.”
Ingrid Thijssen, chairman of VNO-NCW: “As our southern neighbour, Belgium is one of our most important trading partners. The historical, cultural and economic ties are strong and Belgian and Dutch companies already cooperate in many areas. For example, Belgium and the Netherlands have joined forces to work together on innovative solutions for the transition to a sustainable future. For example, with regard to the production and application of green hydrogen, for which both Belgium and the Netherlands have great ambitions. And with the ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam, both countries have important hubs to make this transition a success. The economic mission offers the opportunity to further strengthen these and other sustainable partnerships between Belgian and Dutch companies.”
Through the trade mission, Dutch and Belgian companies can exchange knowledge and expertise, for example when it comes to agriculture and horticulture and green hydrogen. This can lead to opportunities for cooperation and business in the future. Both countries want to be important in the European green hydrogen manufacturing industry. The Netherlands has the ambition to acquire a central position in the international hydrogen market. Working together with neighboring countries is essential in this respect.
Transition in Belgium
Belgium and the Netherlands are each other’s second trading partner and foreign investor. Dutch trade and investments in Belgium account for more than 320,000 jobs in Belgium. Conversely, Belgium creates more than 250,000 jobs in the Netherlands. Ten percent of Dutch exports go to Belgium, more than to the US, China and Brazil combined.
Like the Netherlands, Belgium, as a highly industrialized and densely populated country, faces the challenge of making cities, industry and agriculture more sustainable and of becoming climate neutral by 2050. This offers opportunities for Dutch entrepreneurs. For example, billions will be invested in mobility in the Antwerp region in the coming years. For example, in further expanding the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles and improving facilities for cyclists. In addition to circular construction, Belgium also wants to carry out large-scale renovations and use renewable building materials, such as wood, flax and straw.
Joint Climate Tech Forum
More than 500 companies, knowledge institutes and organizations are present at the Climate Tech Forum, which is part of the trade mission. His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Máxima will be present at the opening of the forum. The Belgian royal couple is also present. The participants will have the opportunity to explore Belgian-Dutch collaborations in the field of green hydrogen, climate-neutral construction, smart and sustainable mobility and future-oriented agriculture.
Furthermore, a Round Table with Belgian and Dutch companies is on the program in Antwerp. The theme of the table is ‘Port Regions and Energy Transition’, which focuses in particular on cooperation between Belgium and the Netherlands in the field of green hydrogen.