Dutch companies eye potential spheres of interaction in Azerbaijani economy

/By Azernews/

By Amina Nazarli

The prospects for increasing bilateral cooperation in economics between Azerbaijan and the Netherlands is high on the agenda of talks in Baku, as a delegation led by Minister of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands is visiting the country.

The Dutch delegation led by Henk Kamp arrived in Baku on May 11 to mull issues of mutual interest in the field of economy.

The delegation was received by President Ilham Aliyev, who described Azerbaijani-Dutch relations in political, economic and other spheres as successfully developing, saying all conditions were created in the country for foreign companies, including Dutch ones, to operate effectively.

Kamp said he was greatly impressed by the reconstruction work carried out in Azerbaijan and in capital Baku, adding that modern buildings made a harmony with samples of historical architecture here.

The Dutch minister hailed the level of relations between the two countries, praising the conditions created for Dutch companies in Azerbaijan.

As part of his visit, Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev hold a meeting with Henk Kamp.

Speaking at the event Mustafayev said that Dutch companies have invested in the non-oil sector of Azerbaijan more than $330 million over the past three years.

He informed the participants about 112 companies with Dutch capitals operating in Azerbaijan, adding that a number of Dutch companies operating in Azerbaijan as contractors.

The minister said that there are ample opportunities for cooperation between the two states in various fields.

The sides proposed to expand cooperation in agriculture, ICT, energy, tourism, environment and transit cargo fields. Dutch companies were also invited to become residents of industrial parks and agro-parks.

After the two-day visit of the minister, an extensive business delegation of the Netherlands is expected to arrive in Baku. The upcoming business forum scheduled for May 17 is expected to play an important role in the development of relations between the two countries' businessmen.

Henk Kamp, for his part, praised the economic reforms implemented in the country and emphasized the opportunities for expansion of Dutch companies in Azerbaijan.

The relations between the Netherlands and Azerbaijan have strengthened over the past years. Companies with the Dutch capital operate in Azerbaijan in the spheres of shipbuilding, logistics, ecology and banking. A business center, which operates as a coordination center for companies, was created for strengthening business relations between the two countries.

Earlier Dutch Ambassador to Azerbaijan Robert Jan Gabrielse said the Netherlands is interested in cooperation with Azerbaijan in agriculture, adding that the main attractive areas for the Netherlands are water industry and lake water purification.

The trade turnover between the Netherlands and Azerbaijan amounted to $44.71 million in the first quarter of 2016, $21.65 million of which fell on exports to this country, according to the Azerbaijani State Customs Committee.

A number of Dutch companies will take part in the agricultural exhibition Caspian Agro 2016, scheduled for May 19-21 in Baku. An exhibition hall of the Netherlands will be organized with support of the Dutch government.