Trade Links
Netherlands sees expanding trade and investments with Sri Lanka Aug 15, 2014 (LBO) - Netherlands is seeking more trade and investment links with Sri Lanka in agriculture, water and health seen as growth areas, with funding also available, officials said."We are actively looking for new trading partners around the world," visiting Dutch Vice-Minister for Foreign Trade Simon Mits, who led a trade mission to Colombo told reporters.
"We are of the firm belief that trade is a two way street that it is definitely a win-win. We want to explore new opportunities."
Netherlands had an ageing population where it developed expertise in diagnostics and non-communicable diseases which was a challenge also faced by Sri Lanka.
Netherlands also had expertise in water, dealing with floods and seawater and Sri Lanka was also seeking to improve drinking water and sanitation islandwide.
Mits said bi-lateral trade with Sri Lanka was 200 million US dollars a year and was growing at 10 percent year.
Several companies in the Dutch trade delegation already had relationships with Sri Lanka.
Van De Knaap group of companies had factories in Sri Lanka producing and exporting cocopeat employing around 500 people, director Gerard van Dieen said.
Enraf-Nonius was which was in healthcare was providing turnkey solutions to two hospitals in Hambantota and Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka, Chief Executive Ken de Jong said.
In 2005 the Netherlands had decided to end foreign aid to following decision to focus on the poorest countries of the world with Sri Lanka no longer considered among them.
"That does not mean we don't have other funds available. We have substantial funds available where Sri Lanka can have profit," Mits said."The potential of Sri Lanka we think can be best be unlocked by trade relations, by investment exchange, by knowledge. And this is why we are shifting from aid to trade."
Netherlands had just opened a new fund, the Dutch Good Growth Fund (DGGF), which is expected to disburse about 700 million Euros over the three to four years.
"This fund supports Dutch entrepreneurs and SMEs in emerging markets and and developing countries by offering a source of finance," Mits said.
"It can also be used by entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka to set up a joint venture."
It can also provide export credit and insurance to reduce counterparty risks of trade deals.
Hans Bartelds from Netherlands based Rabobank group which had a focus on agriculture and co-operatives said he already working on a transaction using the new fund with Sri Lanka.
Rabobank was financing the import of heifers from Australia to Sri Lanka. It had also structured a 100 million US dollar deal to finance 463 rural bridges.
Other companies in the delegation included Vitens Evides International which had expertise in urban water Eijkelkamp Earth Sampling group which specialized in environmental soil and ground water research and monitoring and consultancy.
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