Dutch firms bullish on India Inc

Netherlands-based corporate houses have been strengthening their ties with India and are looking forward to establishing new relationship with their Indian counterparts.

"The possible business opportunities can be in agriculture, logistics, pharmaceuticals, entertainment and communication sector," said Hans Ramker, Consul General for Netherland at a meeting organised by the Maharashtra  Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture on Monday.

"Indian agriculture exporters - especially flower and vegetable - are already active in the Netherlands and we can enhance the relationship with co-operating in processing, packaging and distribution of India agri-produce," he said.

Services business between the two countries, led by information technology, is expanding and there are strong signs of its growth, he said.

"The highest investments from Indian companies have come to the Netherlands in 2005-06 and it grew to $244 million. The trade between the country and the Netherlands is around $2 billion," he said.

He said Dutch multimedia companies were sourcing India's skills in design and printing and had partners in cities such as Ahmedabad and Mumbai. There are greater opportunities in movie making and processing," Ramker said.

Indian exporters can use the Netherlands as distribution base as it offers excellent connections to Europe and North America, he pointed out. There is a significant scope for Indian bulk drug and generic pharmaceuticals companies to export to Netherlands.