Minister Moore Concludes Successful Visit to the Netherlands to Highlight New Investment Opportunities

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS--(Marketwired - March 26, 2014) - Industry Canada

Industry Minister James Moore, joined by a distinguished Canadian business delegation, today concluded a successful visit to the Netherlands. The Minister began the visit at the Bergen-op-Zoom Canadian World War II Cemetery to pay his respects, on behalf of all Canadians, to those who fought in the Battle of the Scheldt in the liberation of the Netherlands. The Minister also met with Dutch leaders in commerce and innovation while visiting Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, Delft and Eindhoven. They discussed the many economic benefits that will be created by the historic Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. During these meetings, the Minister emphasized the importance of free trade for growth in the Canadian, Dutch and European economies.

The Minister also joined Prime Minister Harper for meetings with the Dutch government on how Canada and the Netherlands can broaden and strengthen economic and cultural ties.

Quick facts

• The Minister celebrated the signing of the following agreements between Canadian and Dutch partners:
  • A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Intelligent Transportation Systems Canada and its Dutch counterpart, Connekt/ITS Netherlands, for greater cooperation between businesses and researchers to develop new traffic technologies and applications;
  • An MOU among Canadian shipbuilding and maritime engineering firms Teekay and Aspin Kemp & Associates (AKA) and Dutch tugboat manufacturer KOTUG to bring the world's first hybrid tugboat into commercial production; and
  • An arrangement to open a new Vancouver campus of the Amsterdam School of Creative Leadership (THNK), its first-ever global expansion, scheduled for fall 2014.
• The Netherlands is the second largest European importer of Canadian goods, next to the U.K., and the largest European investor in Canada.
• The European Union has 28 member states and economic activity of almost $17 trillion annually.
• A joint Canada-EU study has concluded that the Canada-EU trade agreement could bring a $12 billion annual increase to Canada's economy.

Quotes

"This week I was pleased to be joined by a Canadian business delegation in the Netherlands to open up new investment opportunities for Canadian businesses here in Europe and for our Dutch friends back in Canada. Throughout my visit, I met with impressive business innovators that are doing leading-edge work. Canada and the Netherlands share strong cultural, historical, business and economic linkages. I look forward to seeing the benefits and new opportunities that will result from the Canada-EU free trade agreement and from the business agreements just signed."

- James Moore, Industry Minister

"Removing the international red tape that stands in the way of Canadians and Europeans doing more business with each other will benefit Canadians enormously. Small businesses already trading with Europe are keen to do more. Those that aren't have an exciting new opportunity to explore, and it's not too early to start."

- Laura Jones, Executive Vice-President, Canadian Federation of Independent Business

"It was a great honour to represent Canada at this historic event and realize the potential that a free trade agreement with the Netherlands has. It was both exciting and informative to discuss next-generation learning with some of the Netherlands' most innovative business leaders. I look forward to further collaboration in the future."

- Anna Forgione, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Desire2Learn

"This mission to the Netherlands has brought me right to the door opened by the Canada-EU trade agreement and has given me clear insights into how to create opportunities, leveraging a strong relationship based on our mutual cooperative and trusting natures. For my organization and my consulting business, the new personal connections and the exposure to the incredible innovative Dutch culture will quickly result in incremental business activities."

- Robert Huitema, President, Canadian Netherlands Business and Professional Association

"I thank Minister Moore and Prime Minister Harper for their vision and leadership in bringing several SMEs, of which Transformix Engineering is one, on the Netherlands trade mission. The visit has been a huge success. Being part of this trade mission with Minister Moore and Prime Minister Harper gave our company creditability internationally as our business continues to grow in Europe. We are thrilled to play a part in promoting the Canada-EU trade agreement. I leave the trade mission inspired and excited about the future of our great country to grow our export business to Europe."

- Peng-Sang Cau, CEO, Transformix Engineering

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