FICCI seeks Dutch investment in mfg, tech; calls for project-level follow-up

Amsterdam: India's industry body FICCI has urged the Netherlands to increase its investment in the country's manufacturing and technology sectors. The call came during the ongoing visit of Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal to the Netherlands, who is leading a delegation of about 100 businesses. FICCI Secretary General Anant Swarup highlighted four key areas for follow-up: manufacturing partnerships, technology collaborations, supply chain integration, and project-level progress.

Swarup emphasized the need for joint ventures, technology partnerships, and supplier-development programs to enhance economic ties. These initiatives would focus on engineering, equipment, food processing, and other technology-intensive industries. Supplier-development programs were particularly stressed to help Indian MSMEs meet Dutch companies' quality, traceability, and sustainability requirements.

The delegation's engagement at the Port of Rotterdam offered an opportunity to explore cooperation in logistics and supply-chain connectivity, with the expectation of translating these discussions into commercially viable projects involving ports, warehousing, cold chains, and efficient goods movement.

Goyal's visit is significant as India aims to sign a free trade agreement with the European Union by year-end, and the Netherlands, as a leading EU member, is India's fourth-largest source of foreign direct investment, with approximately USD 58.1 billion invested between 2000 and 2026. FICCI believes that the India-EU FTA can strengthen this relationship by providing a commercial case for companies to manufacture, source, and innovate in both markets.