Knapen launches Holland House in Bogotá

News article | 21 de junio de 2012

Knapen launches Holland House in Bogotá

News article | June 20, 2012

‘It is inspiring to see how Colombia has developed over the past few decades into a place that offers many opportunities for sustainable trade with Dutch companies. Our two countries are in the process of moving from a development-based partnership to a bilateral economic relationship. In this way, we can reap the benefit of years of investment in development cooperation.’

The Minister for European Affairs and International Cooperation Ben Knapen spoke these words on Tuesday at the conclusion of his visit to Colombia, where he announced the establishment of Holland House in the capital Bogotá.

Earlier in the day he had signed a document regulating sustainable trade in coffee, bananas and flowers that would allow Dutch businesses in Colombia to capitalise on the growing demand for sustainable products. The document includes agreements between the Dutch and Colombian authorities, companies like Unilever and Fyffes, NGOs like Solidaridad and the WWF, and other donors like the EU and USAID.

Mr Knapen also made agreements with the Colombian Minister of the Environment and Sustainable Development on working together in the water sector. Water is one of the key themes of the minister’s development policy. Colombia, which continues to face serious flooding, stands to profit from Dutch knowledge and know-how.

Holland House

Holland House will function as a ‘matchmaking centre’, designed to promote trade and provide advice for companies on matters relating to security, the local legal system and corporate social responsibility. In this way businesses can profit from the knowledge amassed in the course of the countries’ development relationship.

‘We will provide some seed money through development funds. But starting in 2014 it will have to support itself with private funding,’ said Mr Knapen.

‘For entrepreneurs, stability, clarity, a functional legal order and knowledge of corporate responsibility are conditions for running a successful business,’ the minister noted. ‘For that reason the Netherlands will stay committed to peacebuilding activities and efforts to protect human rights, both bilaterally and in a multilateral context.’

In 2011 Colombia’s economy grew by 5.9%, and it has become a leading economic player in South America. Over the next few years the Netherlands will be phasing out its development relationship with Colombia and moving from aid to trade. To smooth this transition a special facility has been set up, which is also being used for two other countries that have shown strong economic growth: South Africa and Vietnam.

Promoting trade

The Netherlands will invest a total of €18 million of development money in Colombia. This amount will gradually decrease over the next few years. At the same time the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation is expected to set aside more money to promote trade with Colombia.

After his visit to Colombia, the minister flew on to Rio de Janeiro, where he will lead the Dutch delegation to the UN Summit on Susttainable Development (Rio+20).