Arjen Uijterlinde, Consul General of the Netherlands in Istanbul, stated that the trade volume between the Netherlands and Turkiye reached $6.8 billion in the first half of this year, “It is highly likely that the trade volume will reach $12.5 billion this year.”
Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), Uijterlinde said that in the first half of this year, Dutch companies invested most in Turkiye.
Stating that the trade volume between the Netherlands and Turkiye reached $6.8 billion in the first half, Uijterlinde said, “It is highly probable that the Dutch-Turkish trade volume will be at the level of $12.5 billion this year.”
Expressing that the relations between the Netherlands and Turkiye have a long and rich history, Uijterlinde explained that the first Dutch ambassador came to Istanbul in 1612.
Noting that the Netherlands has always been among Turkiye’s most important trade partners, Uijterlinde said, “Turkiye exports mineral fuel, ready-made clothing and generally textile products, machinery & parts, plastic products, furniture, metal goods to the Netherlands. The food and agriculture category generally accounts for around 10% of trade between the two countries and contributes significantly in both directions.”
“The Netherlands is the most preferred destination for Turkish investors in terms of the amount of capital invested”
Arjen Uijterlinde reported that last year, the Netherlands ranked first in Turkiye with a foreign direct investment flow of $863 million.
Uijterlinde said, “Between 2002 and 2022, Dutch companies invested $28 billion in Turkiye. There are more than 3,000 Dutch companies registered in Turkiye. Royal Dutch Shell started its operations in Turkiye in 1923 and Philips opened its branch in 1930. “
Uijterlinde said that Istanbul hosts more than half of the Dutch companies operating in Turkiye. He said that the Netherlands, as the gateway to Europe, offers an “excellent” location for international businesses, which is why many Turkish companies and financial institutions are investing in the Netherlands.
Uijterlinde emphasized that the Netherlands is the most preferred destination for Turkish investors in terms of the amount of invested capital.
“We will have a series of economic, cultural events and projects to commemorate the 100th anniversary”
The Dutch Consul General in Istanbul, Uijterlinde, stated that family ties make the most important contribution to the relations between Turkiye and the Netherlands, adding that 430,000 citizens of Turkish origin live in the Netherlands, which corresponds to approximately 2.5% of the Dutch population.
Emphasizing that these people form a strong bridge between the two countries in every field, Uijterlinde said:
“Next year will be the 100th anniversary of the friendship agreement between the Netherlands and Turkiye. We will have a series of economic, cultural events and projects to commemorate the 100th anniversary. Just like the earthquake disaster in Turkiye this year, tragic events strengthen friendships between countries.
Both the Dutch government and private organizations have worked with the Turkish authorities from day one to support the affected areas and victims. 1,600 individual aid campaigns were organized across the Netherlands. Finally, Dutch companies operating in Turkiye opened a children’s center in the earthquake zone. The Dutch Ambassador to Ankara Joep Wijnands, who participated in the Bosphorus swimming race, launched another aid campaign for the earthquake area together with the Dutch Turkish Businessmen’s Association in Turkiye and the Dutch-Turkish artist Karsu Donmez.”
Uijterlinde also reported that €150 million were collected in aid campaigns organized in the Netherlands right after the earthquake.
Source: AA / Prepared by Irem Yildiz