NETHERLANDS FOREIGN INVESTMENT AGENCY OPENS OFFICE IN SINGAPORE
October 26. 2007 marked the official opening of the Singapore office of the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA). Located within the Dutch Embassy, the office, headed by Area Director, Ms Linnie Mackenzie serves as the local base from which to raise the profile of Singapore companies venturing into the Netherlands and Europe.
In conjunction with the event, a seminar on "The Netherlands - Your European Partner in International Business," was held at the Goodwood Park Hotel. Key representatives from the NFIA headquarters in The Hague, Holland International Distribution Council, Rotterdam City Development Corporation, Port of Rotterdam, and the Amsterdam Foreign Investment Office in the Netherlands facilitated the seminar aimed at providing an invaluable insight into doing business in the Netherlands. Local speakers included the offices of ABN AMRO, Loyens & Loeff, the Netherlands Office for Science and Technology, and CordLife.
"The Netherlands is a relative small country, but like Singapore, it has much to offer to investors and business partners," remarked Mr Sanders as he addressed some 45 participants from MNCs and SMEs in Singapore at the opening of the seminar. Both the Singapore and the Netherlands have had important and rapidly growing trade and investment relations and, as foreign trade is an important driving force for the economic development of both countries, the NFIA, he added, can play an important role in helping Singapore companies to internationalize and seize global opportunities.
Ms Mackenzie said that to date, 15 Singapore companies have operations in the Netherlands, with six more regional companies from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam in the works. The NFIA works closely with partners like IE Singapore, the Singapore International Chamber of Commerce and the Singapore Business Federation. "Our aim is to provide local companies with a better understanding of the business landscape in the Netherlands and Europe, and link them with potential partners and networks to expand their businesses in overseas markets," added Ms Mackenzie who also sits on the IE's I-Advisory Panel.
The official opening ceremony of NFIA Singapore was held at the Ambassador's residence. Guest of Honour, Mr Peter Ong, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Singapore officiated at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony which was attended by distinguished guests from foreign ministries, EDB, IE Singapore, Singapore Business Federation, Singapore Manufacturers Federation, Chamber of Commerce representatives, Singapore business partners and guests.
