Michiel Nijdam, corporate strategist at the Port of Rotterdam Authority, participated in the trade mission (Logistics/eCommerce track) which took place in China in April. The mission was led by Sigrid Kaag, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation.

The delegates visited Shanghai, where the Port of Rotterdam was a speaker at a seminar on the Belt and Road initiative and Guangzhou where a logistics seminar, a matchmaking event for 150 Chinese and 100 Dutch companies and a port tour were organized.

The Netherlands is China’s third trade partner within the EU and each year ever more Chinese companies show interest in investing in the Netherlands or developing joint initiatives together with Dutch companies.

The Netherlands is perceived as the gateway to Europe, and this was recently recognized by the Global Logistics Guide. The guide evaluated the supply chains and logistics networks of countries worldwide and rewarded the Netherlands with a perfect score as part of the Inbound Logistics 2018 survey, for its sound infrastructure and positive business climate, calling it “the model for European logistics excellence”.

One example of an agreement signed during the trade mission is the Strategic Cooperation Agreement between the Chengdu International Railway Port Investment Development Co. and GVT Group of Logistics, which will mark the start of the third year of co-operation on the Chengdu–Tilburg-Rotterdam Express. This rail connection between China and the Netherlands has been offering huge trading opportunities to companies who seek alternative logistic solutions besides air and sea. The new contract signed by the parties in 2018 will strengthen the economic exchanges and co-operation between the two regions. The train terminal in Tilburg will continue to act as the hub for further extension to the UK, Belgium, Scandinavia and other European countries.