Dutch Companies Interested in Investing in Ukraine's Reconstruction, Says Trade Minister

Dutch companies are demonstrating active interest in investing in Ukraine, a move that could play a crucial role in the recovery and reconstruction of the war-torn nation. This information was shared by the Dutch Minister of Foreign Trade in an exclusive comment to Ukrinform's correspondent in The Hague. The minister emphasized that these investments will not only assist Ukraine during its challenging times but also create lucrative business opportunities for Dutch enterprises.

The minister highlighted that Dutch companies possess considerable experience in key sectors such as energy, healthcare, and the agribusiness sector. 'These are areas where the needs in Ukraine are high, and the Netherlands can offer added value,' the minister stated.

At a business forum held during the 'Lviv Conference' in the Dutch city of Breda, 80 companies from both Ukraine and the Netherlands were represented. The minister reported that the event saw participation from 47 Dutch companies and 33 Ukrainian firms, all actively engaged in various fields, particularly in energy, circular construction, and agribusiness.

'The hosting of the 'Lviv Conference' in Breda fosters deeper bilateral relations between our countries,' he emphasized. According to the minister, the partnership is aimed not only at providing support during times of crisis but also at opening avenues for long-term collaboration.

Among the priorities outlined at the conference were sustainable recovery processes, energy and agricultural transformation, strengthening social infrastructure, and enhancing the rule of law. The minister also noted that the business forum represented 'another concrete step towards facilitating cooperation between companies from both nations.'

Thanks to the forum, companies were able to discuss business opportunities in Ukraine, mitigate potential business risks, and overcome barriers hindering investments, particularly in priority sectors such as healthcare, energy, agrifood, and water supply.

Minister Sjoerdsma noted that during the business forum, more than 100 individual meetings were conducted between companies from both countries, which contributed to deepening cooperation in the private sector. 'Moreover, the event stimulated broader collaboration between private sectors, as evidenced by the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the ports of Rotterdam and Odessa to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and expertise,' he stressed.

It is worth recalling that on March 30, the ports of Odessa and Rotterdam signed a memorandum of cooperation, marking an important step in developing bilateral relations. This memorandum aims to promote the exchange of experiences and knowledge between the ports, which could positively impact economic cooperation between Ukraine and the Netherlands.

Photo: Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken

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