24 January 2017

Dubai, UAE - The Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) hosted a seminar in Dubai for local companies keen to explore opportunities to set up operations in Holland as a gateway to wider European market. Over 30 UAE based companies attended the seminar in Dubai opened by Amsterdam Deputy Mayor Kajsa Ollongren and led by Jeroen Nijland, Commissioner at the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA).

According to Jeroen Nijland, “In 2016, we witnessed an increase in number of enquiries from Middle East based companies interested in exploring opportunities in the Netherlands. From agrifood to aerospace, the Netherlands is home to thriving industry clusters driven by talent, innovation and collaboration. There is definitely a synergy with companies here that are also driven by innovation and the spirit of entrepreneurship. The Netherlands offers the best conditions for expansion into Europe- we are centrally located and in leading position worldwide of countries with strongest macroeconomic stability, good infrastructure and a highly educated population. Our GDP growth is robust and above average; government policies are stable.

Moreover, 95% of Europe's major markets can be reached within 24 hours from Amsterdam or Rotterdam. The country connects to 160 million consumers within an 800-kilometre radius. All this makes Holland a lucrative location for European activities.

More than 12,000 foreign entities operate in the Netherlands. NFIA offers free, confidential services to companies to make starting up, rolling out and expanding easy in the Netherlands.

Companies from the region that have set up base in Netherlands with support from NFIA include SABIC, Aramex, DP World, UAE Exchange, TAQA, Sunimpex, Lamnalco, International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC), Saudi Aramco, Kuwait Petroleum International (Q8), Muntajat and Petrogas.

40 companies from UAE have set up presence in Netherlands.

© Press Release 2017