Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal conducted a series of high-level engagements in the Netherlands on October 26, 2026, focused on strengthening bilateral economic cooperation, expanding trade and investment, and identifying new collaboration opportunities between Indian and Dutch enterprises. The Minister held meetings with Dutch government officials including Mr. Sjoerd Sjoerdsma (Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation), Ms. Heleen Herbert (Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate), and Mr. Arthur van Dijk (King's Commissioner of the Province of North Holland).
Goyal also interacted with members of the Dutch House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation and the Senate Committee on European Affairs to exchange perspectives on bilateral economic relations and the broader India-European Union economic partnership. The India-Netherlands Business Forum, jointly chaired by Goyal and Sjoerdsma, witnessed participation of approximately 200 people including leading representatives of Indian and Dutch businesses. The Forum focused on significant opportunities emerging from the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, particularly in expanding bilateral trade, strengthening investment partnerships, enhancing market access, and fostering collaboration across key sectors, with emphasis on translating FTA opportunities into concrete business partnerships and stronger supply chain integration between India and Europe.
As part of his industry program, Goyal held one-to-one meetings with CEOs from prominent Dutch companies across semiconductor technology, electronics, logistics, energy and industrial solutions, technology, and retail sectors. He also participated in a roundtable with CXOs of 15 Dutch companies organized by the Embassy in the Hague in collaboration with HSBC Netherlands, which facilitated direct engagement on investment opportunities and commercial partnerships. The Minister highlighted the growing momentum in India-Netherlands economic relations following the elevation of bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership and the conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, emphasizing the Netherlands' role as a gateway to European markets and India's commitment to strengthening its partnership with the Netherlands and the wider European Union.