The Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency has reported that it is seeing a spurt in Investments from UAE companies in Holland. So far, over 40 UAE companies have set up base in the Netherlands. These companies have 48 establishments in the Netherlands, employing 1,295 people in total.

Cees Kieft, Executive Director – Middle East, North Africa & Turkey, NFIA, says, “We are seeing a growing interest from UAE companies to explore business opportunities in the Netherlands. There are several unique selling points which makes us a perfect choice for business expansion plans of UAE based companies. The Netherlands is centrally located, with 170 million consumers within 500 km. Holland acts as a springboard into the European market—with access to 95% of Europe’s most lucrative consumer markets within 24 hours of Amsterdam or Rotterdam. The country also offers businesses a supportive corporate tax structure, access to highly skilled multilingual workforce, and superior logistics and technology infrastructure. Dubai is also a perfect location to reach out to businesses from the rest of the region, as a high number of executives from other MENA countries visit Dubai regularly, and therefore our campaign will reach out to them too.”

Among the UAE based companies that have used the NFIA’s support services to expand into the Netherlands are Aramex, DP World, UAE Exchange, TAQA, Sunimpex, Lamnalco, and International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC). To sustain and generate further interest the NFIA has launched a campaign with Dubai Metro Taxis. This is the first time that the NFIA has embarked on a public awareness campaign in Dubai. Around 50 Dubai Metro taxis will be used for the campaign, “Invest in Holland”.

NFIA has also participated in trade events and exhibitions such as GITEX, ADIPEC, GITEX, Gulfood, GPCA and many others to showcase opportunities in the Netherlands to regional companies.