One such company is SolarDuck, which makes floating solar panels. “They made a deal with Japanese companies and the government. That government has had an incredible few weeks,’ says Thijssen. “It is noticeable that Japan is very interested in everything we have to offer in the field of energy transition.” Minister Liesje Schreinemacher for foreign trade and development cooperation will also be present at the trade mission.
Hydrogen
In addition, agreements have been made on hydrogen. “We have many intellectual property rights and patents in the field of hydrogen storage and transportation,” Thijssen explains. “South Korea is at the forefront of the battery industry, but we have a lot of knowledge about efficiency and raw materials in batteries.”
SAMSUNG
Korean firm Samsung has announced it will invest 200 billion euros in a chip factory. It is set to become the largest chip factory in the world. This is also good news for the Netherlands, Thijssen thinks. ‘ASML is already active on a large scale in South Korea, but this announcement is also very important for the Dutch chip industry.’
Also listen | World Conquerors – Everything you need to know about the trade mission
It is still not possible to say exactly what the trade mission has achieved for Dutch companies. According to Thijssen, on the one hand it is about building short- and long-term relationships and contracts. “But over thirty percent of our prosperity comes from doing business across borders. Sometimes we forget it, but it’s very important.’
[0810 LUCI Ingrid Thijssen, VNO NCW, 06 55276438]
[Nederlanders spelen een grote rol bij een handelsmissie van de Nederlandse overheid in Japan en Zuid-Korea. Straks meer hierover bij BNR.]
Today is the last day of a trade mission to South Korea and Japan for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Minister Liesje Schreinemacher and Ingrid Thijssen, President of VNO-NCW.
The mission is to accelerate the energy transition. Dutch entrepreneurs play an important role in this.
Ingrid Thijssen, President of VNO-NCW,
1. How has the trade mission gone so far?
[Mooie resultaten! Samenwerkingcontracten ondertekend tussen Japanse/ Zuid Koreaanse en Nederlandse bedrijven om samen aan oplossingen te werken. Focus van de missie ligt op energietransitie. Contract getekend over waterstof. Handelsmissie heeft volgens woordvoerder Kees Bakhuis daadwerkelijk geld opgeleverd voor Nederlandse bedrijven.]
2. What role do Dutch entrepreneurs play?
3. The mission is, among other things, all about sustainability. What developments have been discussed?
4. What can we expect in the future from the results of this mission?
Election result?
Ingrid Thijssen, president of VNO-NCW.