Netherlands sees expanding trade and investments with Sri Lanka

Aug 15, 2014 (LBO) - Netherlands is seeking more trade and investment links with Sri Lanka in agriculture, water and health seen as growth areas, with funding also available, officials said. "We are actively looking for new trading partners around the world," visiting Dutch Vice-Minister for Foreign Trade Simon Mits, who led a trade mission to Colombo told reporters.

"We are of the firm belief that trade is a two way street that it is definitely a win-win.

We want to explore new opportunities.

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Netherlands had an ageing population where it developed expertise in diagnostics and non-communicable diseases which was a challenge also faced by Sri Lanka.

Netherlands also had expertise in water, dealing with floods and seawater and Sri Lanka was also seeking to improve drinking water and sanitation islandwide.

Mits said bi-lateral trade with Sri Lanka was 200 million US dollars a year and was growing at 10 percent year.

Several companies in the Dutch trade delegation already had relationships with Sri Lanka.

Van De Knaap group of companies had factories in Sri Lanka producing and exporting cocopeat employing around 500 people, director Gerard van Dieen said.