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Flanders and the Netherlands joining forces in Africa

The Flemish government and the Netherlands are joining forces to organise a trade mission to Ghana and Senegal from 31 May to 5 June. Flanders Investment and Trade (FIT), the Flemish investment and export agency, is cooperating with its Dutch counterpart. A joint trade mission with the Flemish PM Geert Bourgeois is to follow later this year.
Michaël Torfs
Geert Bourgeois (archive picture): Africa's role for the Flemish industry is growing.

Flanders and the Netherlands have been cooperating in the field of foreign trade for a couple of years now. 2013 saw the former Flemish PM Kris Peeters on a trade mission to the United States with the Dutch PM Mark Rutte.

Geert Bourgeois (Flemish nationalist) is also supporting the idea. He clinched a deal with Mr Rutte last October to organise a new joint trade mission in 2015. "Working together boosts our chances abroad." He will personally join a trade mission later this year. The country still has to be announced.

The mission to Senegal and Ghana should open new doors for Dutch and Flemish companies, particularly in the area of maritime trade and dredging. Flemish and Dutch businesses are aware that Africa is providing new opportunities. 48 Flemish companies have registered for this mission so far, most of them concentrating on farming, transport/logistics and infrastructure.

"The African market is playing a bigger role for the Flemish industrial sector. FIT is to stage another trip in autumn, this time to Ethiopia, Kenya and Rwanda", Mr Bourgeois added. 

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