Colombia was chosen by the Netherlands as a strategic partner in Latin America. The country will transfer its knowledge and innovation to Colombia in the hope that the South American country can increase its agricultural exports to Europe.
Despite being 27 times smaller than Colombia, the Netherlands is the second largest agricultural exporter in the world, preceded only by the United States, because it channels much of its farm products to the international markets. In addition, it is one of the five countries with the highest foreign trade, the sixteenth largest economy in the world, and the sixth biggest economy in Europe.
However, the Netherlands can no longer increase its agricultural frontiers and therefore has decided to rely on Colombia's agricultural potential. As a result, the Dutch want to share their knowledge and knowhow with Colombia and later become the logistics centre of Colombia's agricultural sales to Europe.
"We hope to share our experience with companies, universities, and the government. We are participating in Expo Agrofuturo 2016 with six companies. We are strong in production of apples, pears, flowers, and other plants. We export genetics and seeds," said Jan Willem van Bokhoven, the director of the Colombian-Dutch Chamber of Commerce (Holland House).
The European country ranks ninth in innovation, according to the Global 2016 Index, although they are working to become the most innovative country by 2020.
They focus on cooperation between the public, private, and academic sectors and in strengthening applied research; something they identified as especially relevant to Medellin, as they already do this kind of work in institutions such as the Empresa Estado University Committee (UEE).
The Dutch also have projects looking ahead as far as 2040 and 2050 to ensure their food security, despite not having more land to plant.
That's where Colombia becomes strategic for them, as the country has fertile land and different climates, which ensures they will be able to grow different varieties of foods.
Up to July 2016, Colombian sales to the Netherlands amounted to 703.2 million dollars. Colombia exports bananas, coffee, flowers, and palm oil to the Netherlands, but Holland House is seeking to expand the fruit export basket.
Source: elcolombiano.com