Is your company internationally active in the maritime, ports, renewable energy, agri-food, horticulture or sustainable urban development sectors? And are you curious about your business opportunities in Colombia? Consider joining the trade mission to Colombia from September 24-28, 2023. The trade mission is led by Minister Liesje Schreinemacher, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation.

Why join?

During the mission, Dutch companies and knowledge institutes have the opportunity to:

• Get acquainted with the Colombia market;
• Explore market opportunities in Colombia;
• Strengthen existing contacts in Colombia; and
• Come into contact with potential Colombian business partners, clients and/or governments.

With the Minister being present during the mission, you can establish and expand contacts at a high level. For example, you can sign a contract, letter of intent (LoI) or Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in her presence, which will give extra visibility to your project, company or investment.

For whom?

Participation is open to Dutch companies and knowledge institutes that are active in the following sectors:

Sustainable port development and renewable energy and maritime (Bogotá and Cartagena)

•  Digitizing ports;
•  Sustainable port development;
•  Coastal protection / natural solutions (nature-based solutions);
•  Ship-building;
•  Hydrogen; and
•  Offshore Wind.

RVO especially invites female entrepreneurs and start-ups to join this mission. Also companies from the Caribbean part of the Kingdom are welcome to participate.

Market opportunities

Climate change is hitting Colombia hard. Dutch knowledge and expertise can support the country with this, including coastal protection, land and water management.

Sustainable port development
Large Colombian ports (such as Cartagena) want to use innovations to improve their resilience and work more efficiently. They also want to expand and improve by dredging and modernizing with automation and digitization. This offers opportunities for Dutch companies that are specialists in this area.

Renewable energy and the maritime sector
Colombia is the 3rd South American country in generating renewable energy from sun, wind and biomass. The country has great ambitions in this area. In 2023 and 2024, an additional 3,300MW of sustainable energy will probably be generated. Dutch companies can support with knowledge, skills and technology in sustainable energy. There are opportunities in the areas below.

• Offshore wind energy: upcoming fall the first auction of offshore wind energy will take place, which is unique in South America.
• Hydrogen: Colombia is planning for hydrogen production, with the first pilot projects already set up. The country can thus become an important export partner for Europe.
• Shipbuilding and repair: this industry is growing. The main yard Cotecmar works closely with Dutch suppliers. In addition, Colombia is a hub for the maritime sector, because it is close to the Panama Canal and in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

Program

The program will be adapted to the sectors. Components of the program can be:

• Individual matchmaking (tailored network conversations);
• Informative breakout sessions, such as seminars or workshops;
• Company visits;
• Networking events; and
• Trade reception or dinner.

The trade mission starts with a joint program in Bogotá, led by Minister Schreinemacher, consisting of an informal introduction and networking reception. Participants will then travel to different cities per sector. For more details, please see the provisional programs on the RVO website here.

Participation and costs

Participation costs are €950 per organization (with a maximum of 2 participants). For each additional participant within a company an additional fee of €475 applies.

If a company registers with several people, its possible to follow different sector programs. However, you can only apply for individual matchmaking for one sector program per organization. Possible interpretation costs are for your own account.

Included in the participation are the joint program components, individual matchmaking, local support by the organization and local transport (linked to the mission program).
Travel and accommodation costs and personal transport are for your own account and risk. After the registration period you will receive suggestions for your trip and accommodation as soon as possible.

Registration

Sign up to participate via the RVO website here. Deadline for registration: July 3, 2023.

Participation in this mission is only open to Dutch companies and knowledge institutes from the Kingdom of the Netherlands that fit within the set-up and substantive focus of this trade mission. Registration and the automatic confirmation of receipt therefore do not mean that you are participating in the trade mission. You will receive a final confirmation of your participation after the registration period has closed.

More information

For more information and questions, please reach out to Margriet Veenstra (Project Manager Missions at RVO) or Alexander van der Kaa (Project Manager Missions at RVO).

Organization

The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) is organizing this mission together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Dutch economic network in Colombia and the sector organizations involved.

SOURCE: RVO.nl