Explore opportunities to grow your business on our three-day multi-sector market visit to Amsterdam and The Hague on 23-25 March 2020.
Why the Netherlands?
The Netherlands offers great opportunities for Scottish companies looking to break into Europe.
Being close to the UK and with a similar business culture, the country can be an excellent exporting test market for companies. English is widely spoken and the region provides access to the wider European market.
Opportunities in the Netherlands
The Netherlands has a thriving economy and presents opportunities for Scottish companies across many sectors.
Food and Drink
Dutch supermarkets are always on the lookout for new British suppliers. The Dutch Government is encouraging consumers to live a healthier lifestyle and British products are of particular interest.
Energy
Offshore wind offers opportunities in development and planning, project delivery, operations and maintenance.
Financial and Business Services
There are opportunities in banking, insurance, legal services and fintech.
Other sectors
The Netherlands offers excellent cross-sectoral opportunities in the logistics sector. It has a dense network of road, rail, water and flight connections, so there is strong demand for innovative technologies for the logistics industry. There is also an interest in the safety and security technology that supports this sector.
Further opportunities exist within public services, the automotive sector and in the manufacturing space.
Market benefits
There are many benefits to trade with the Netherlands:
- It’s culturally similar to the UK, making it an ideal test market for products
- In 2018, it made up 6.9% of all UK exports
- The country is very open to trade
- The Netherlands has excellent access to the European mainland and many goods enter the EU through it
- The transport infrastructure was ranked as one of the world’s best by the World Economic Forum in 2018
- It’s one of the world’s most open economies
Draft programme
Monday 23 March
- Travel from Scotland to Amsterdam
- Transfer to the Hague
- Delegates welcome dinner hosted by SDI (The Hague)
Tuesday 24 March
- Briefing session at the British Embassy (The Hague)
- Transfer to Amsterdam
- One to one business meetings (Amsterdam)
- Company visits (Amsterdam)
- Networking Reception (Amsterdam)
Wednesday 25 March
- Site visits (Amsterdam)
- One to one business meetings (Amsterdam)
- Travel to Scotland
A pre-visit briefing and training session will take place on 20 February in Scotland. It will cover market research, cultural aspects, routes to market, financial implications for trading in the Netherlands and give a chance for the delegates to meet before the visit.
Market visit support
SDI will support companies attending before, during and after the market visit with the following:
- Connect companies with experts and professionals on the ground, such as SDI market specialists, business associations, Department for International Trade (DIT), local businesses, accountants and solicitors
- Provide market research to support delegates to set up one-to-one meetings with potential agents, distributors, clients, buyers and partners while in market
- Export training prior to the visit to make sure all delegates are market ready and understand the culture, finance and route to market options
- Financial funding for 50% of flights and accommodation (up to £200) for eligible companies
Companies are responsible for booking their own flights and accommodation. However, we will suggest flights and hotels, so the delegation can travel as a group and stay in the same location.
How to apply
Download an application form (MS Word Doc, 74kB)
Email your completed application form to collette.hughes@scotent.co.uk by Friday 17 January 2020.