News item | 09-03-2023 | 15:42
Minister Liesje Schreinemacher for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation will go on a trade mission to South Korea and Japan next week, together with VNO-NCW chairman Ingrid Thijssen and a group of Dutch entrepreneurs.
The trip from 13 to 17 March is all about accelerating the energy transition, in which Dutch entrepreneurs – with their globally known sustainable innovations and technologies – can play an important role. 72 representatives will take part in the trade mission on behalf of 50 companies – from start-ups to larger companies – that are active in the field of hydrogen, battery technology, offshore wind and greenhouse horticulture.
Minister Schreinemacher: ‘The Netherlands has good economic relations with South Korea and Japan. I think it is important to further strengthen the ties with these like-minded partners. The two countries are technologically advanced economies with many opportunities for further cooperation in trade and innovation. With the trade mission we help Dutch companies to make contacts and capitalize on opportunities.’
Ingrid Thijssen, chairman of VNO-NCW: ‘From the construction of electric charging stations and the construction of wind turbines at sea. To sustainable greenhouse horticulture and the use of green hydrogen. The transition to a sustainable economy in both Japan and South Korea offers enormous opportunities for Dutch entrepreneurs. Because it is precisely Dutch companies that are praised worldwide for their sustainable expertise. I therefore think it is fantastic to see that we are going to Japan and South Korea with such a nice mix of innovative companies.’
Green ambitions South Korea
South Korea is one of the most important trading partners for the Netherlands in Asia. The southern part of the Korean peninsula is the tenth largest economy in the world and the third Dutch export market in the region. The Korean economy is currently still heavily dependent on fossil fuels, but the country has great ambitions to make its economy more sustainable at an accelerated pace. This offers opportunities for Dutch entrepreneurs, for example with the construction of new hydrogen infrastructure. Or in the development of the new generation of batteries, essential for building electric cars. The Netherlands is a global leader in the development of new battery technologies.
Furthermore, the Netherlands and South Korea were one last year Strategic Partnership entered into to further intensify cooperation in the field of semiconductors, among other things.
About 70 Dutch companies are located in South Korea. There are approximately 125 Korean companies active in the Netherlands.
Historical foundation for sustainable cooperation
The Netherlands and Japan have a strong and historic trade relationship that is more than four centuries old. Japan is the third largest economy in the world and our fourth trading partner in Asia. Conversely, more than 700 Japanese companies together have more than 800 branches in the Netherlands. More than 150 Dutch companies are active in Japan.
The history between the two countries forms a solid foundation for new forms of cooperation. Like South Korea, Japan is in the middle of the transition to a fully sustainable economy. For example, the country invests heavily in offshore wind projects, to which Dutch expertise can make an important contribution. After Germany, our country is the largest producer of offshore wind in Europe.
Expo 2025 Osaka
The Japanese city of Osaka will host the World Expo in 2025. This 36e world fair has as an overarching theme ‘Designing Future Society for Our Lives’ and will be about shaping a world where major crises around climate and health, for example, will determine quality of life. The Netherlands will be present with its own pavilion. For Dutch entrepreneurs, knowledge institutions and cultural organizations, the Expo offers the stage to make new business contacts all over the world.