More Collaborations Expected as 15 Dutch Companies Visit Philippines

WITH the recently concluded trade mission, the Kingdom of the Netherlands is expecting an increase in collaboration between Dutch and Philippine companies.

During the three-day trade mission attended by 15 Dutch companies involved in agri-food, water and drainage infrastructure, services and education, Ambassador Marion Derckx said the Philippines remains one of their key partner toward sustainable development.

“The Netherlands is committed to strengthening its relationship with the Philippines, a partner for more than half a century. By bringing a trade mission here, we are opening up opportunities for business and institutions in both countries to collaborate and innovate, in order for us to come up with sustainable solutions to some of the challenges that the world is facing now,” Derckx said.

Derckx also said the Netherlands will continue to build on its strong ties with the Philippines even if it reroutes its foreign policies.

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“We choose to look at the long term and to choose to look at what is actually happening. And we see very good policies in place. We see there is no change, so we will continue as we have always done and build on the good relationship we have, and let it prosper,” she said.

For his part, Dutch Vice Minister for Foreign Trade Marten van den Berg said investments to the the Philippines will continue to rise.

“The numbers show that the Netherlands and the Philippines find each other in business. We have a much broader relation, however, as I am happy to lead this Dutch business delegation in the year in which our countries celebrate 65 years of bilateral diplomatic ties as well as 150 years of consular relations. Business has always been and will continue to be one of the pillars of Dutch international cooperation,” van den Berg said.

The Netherlands has ranked as one of biggest foreign investors in the Philippines over the last five years and has for 50 years been the largest European direct investor in the Philippines.

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Investments from the Netherlands are mainly related to projects in manufacturing, renewables and natural gas, consumer products, business-process outsourcing and housing projects.

Last year the Netherlands topped the list of investors in the country with more than $1.80 billion, representing 33.70 percent of the total foreign direct investments.

During a lecture on sustainable water solutions at the Unilever Corporate Offices in Bonifacio Global City, Saxion University of Applied Sciences, Ateneo de Manila University, The Laren School and the International Montessori Treston signed a memorandum of agreement on exchange-student programs in the collegiate and secondary levels and some research collaborations between the schools. The agreement also stated learning opportunities for Dutch schools on the Montessori school system in the Philippines.

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Another representation agreement between Dutch water-purification developer Basic Water Needs (BWN) and Borromeo & Rullan-Borromeo Law, who will be representing BWN in the Philippines.