Toespraak van minister Henk Kamp bij de 'NFIA breakfast seminar' in Sydney

Toespraak | 03-11-2016

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

Early in 17th century, a Dutchman called Dirk Hartog made the long and perilous journey from Europe to the East. It was a time of great European explorations and the birth of global trade. Dirk’s employer, the Dutch East India Company, in fact became the world’s first multinational. In 1616, Dirk landed off the coast of Shark Bay, which is now called Dirk Hartog Island after him, and became the first European to set foot on Western Australia.

 

Many people have followed in Dirk’s footsteps, including some 120,000 Dutch men, women and children who migrated to Australia in the 1950s and made it their home. Now, it is my honour to visit Australia with a trade mission of my own and to invite you to explore the many opportunities of the Netherlands.

 

Today’s world is, of course, very different from Dirk’s. The European Union is the world’s largest economy and is expected to grow by India’s entire economy in the next 4 years. Europe is also a global leader in innovation and entrepreneurship. 8 of the 10 most innovative economies in the world are in Europe, as are 6 of the world’s most entrepreneurial countries.

 

Europe does face its share of challenges, such as the massive influx of refugees and the historic vote of Britain to leave the EU. But know that Europe is determined to stay its course. We remain fully committed to the principles that made us who we are: the free movement of goods, services, capital and people. And we will endeavour to become an even more open and competitive economy that brings prosperity to our people.

 

The Netherlands, as 1 of the 6 founding members of the European Union, believes strongly in Europe. We occupy a special position within the EU as the main gateway to and from Europe for much of the world’s trade. This is why almost half of all companies from outside of Europe have chosen the Netherlands as their European distribution centre or headquarters, or both.

 

For Australian products, the Netherlands is the second most important market after the United Kingdom. The bulk of Australia’s commodities, especially coal, iron ore and wool, is shipped to or through the Netherlands.

 

In recent years, we have seen a new generation of innovative Australian companies come to the Netherlands. They are active in information technology, e-commerce, cyber security and the collaborative economy, as well as retail and fashion. These companies are considering establishing their European headquarters or distribution centre in the Netherlands.

 

During breakfast today you will see why your compatriots have chosen the Netherlands. It will give you a sense of our attractive investment climate, specifically our location, our infrastructure, our technology clusters and our internationally orientated corporate law and taxation system. And it will show you how your culture is very much like ours: open, informal, direct and reliable.

 

So ladies and gentlemen,

 

Ties between the Netherlands and Australia are more 400 years old. They continue to be strengthened and they continue to be renewed. My government, and the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency, is keen to partner with you and to ensure you can achieve your goals. For now, though, enjoy your breakfast and have a good day. Thank you.