Full text of interview with Mark Rutte, Dutch PM (3)

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And the Netherlands is the most prominent logistics gateway to this region. Nearly 40% of all Chinese exports to Western Europe enter via Rotterdam, Europe's largest seaport. Likewise, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is one of the main air freight hubs for Chinese exports to Europe.

We are connected in other ways too: the largest internet hub in the world is located in Amsterdam. The Amsterdam Internet Exchange offers fast and cheap connections to numerous internet-related companies. That's why more than a third of the European data centres are located in the Netherlands.

The Netherlands is also the birthplace of many of the world’s leading innovative companies such as Philips, DSM, Shell and Unilever. Thanks to them, and thanks to a cluster of tens of thousands of other innovative businesses that have been nurtured and inspired by them, the Netherlands offers an opportunity to cooperate in the development of world-class technologies in a wide range of industries. That’s also the reason many foreign multinationals have set up their R&D facilities in the Netherlands, including many Chinese companies (e.g. Goodbaby, BGI, Navinfo and ZTE).

Finally, the Netherlands has one of the most highly educated, flexible and motivated workforces in Europe. Dutch professionals are also among the most multilingual in Europe, enabling them to operate successfully in any industry, serving customers across the continent.

PD Online: Could you tell us about the situation of Chinese companies in the Netherlands? What kind of suggestions would you give the Chinese companies that plan to enter the Dutch market?

Rutte: According to the most recent figures from the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency, there are now 375 Chinese companies registered in the Netherlands, and our country has for some years been the third largest Chinese FDI destination in Europe (after Germany and UK). Some globally-leading Chinese enterprises have located their European distribution centres, regional service centres or European headquarters in the Netherlands. But also many successful Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises have found the Netherlands an ideal base for pan-European sales and distribution, and for setting up R&D partnerships with Dutch companies. In recent years we have witnessed a steady growth of 40 to 50 new Chinese companies setting up operations in the Netherlands each year.

And I very much welcome more Chinese investment! I would invite Chinese companies to contact one of the three offices of the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency in China, part of our network of embassies and consulates. They can give you detailed information on our investment climate and business opportunities, organise fact-finding trips to the Netherlands, and help apply for work permits. I would strongly advise Chinese companies to first pay a visit to our country – with the assistance of our investment agency – to better understand the many opportunities and meet with potential new business partners.

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