Collaborations were sought in the areas of flooding, aging, and climate change. The Dutch integrated approach to economic growth, urban expansion, nature conservation and dealing with climate change, can help Canada protect cities from climate change and develop them sustainably. The focus of this economic mission again concentrated on Toronto and Vancouver. 

Participants received a total of over 10 individual, customized matchmaking appointments spread across these cities, enabling new entrants to these markets to get off to a flying start and other companies to expand their market share.

Ad Eland, Account Manager by PowerCem Technologies 

“PowerCem Technologies is very pleased with the arrangements that were set up for me as a participant in the Trade Mission by TRANSFER. I have had fine and constructive discussions with a wide variety of Canadian companies relevant to our business. With one company, I was able to discuss future cooperation with both Toronto and Vancouver! Our meeting with another company, responsible for infrastructure and transportation in Vancouver, was also very valuable, and we discussed follow-up discussions to have our innovative products add value to infrastructure in Canada.”

Nico Arfman, Managing Director at East Netherlands Development Agency (Oost NL)

“We focus on trade and investment opportunities between the eastern Netherlands and the US/Canada for the medtech sector (life sciences and high-tech systems). TRANSFER did excellent matchmaking and was able to put us in touch with the kind of parties we wanted to talk to within a reasonably short time frame. We are expectant when it comes to follow-up appointments with some of these parties!”

Mirjam Borsboom, Managing Director at Dutch Cycling Embassy 

“TRANSFER provided matchmaking for Dutch Cycling Embassy during the 2016 economic mission to New Zealand and the 2017 economic mission to Canada. In both countries, TRANSFER connected key stakeholders in the field of cycling inclusive mobility, including local government agencies. We had many interesting meetings and were able to lay a solid foundation for sustainable, future cooperation!”

One of the outcomes of this mission is that in the same month an order went out from the Waterfront Toronto to an international consortium including PIB partners Groundwater Technology, TU Delft and Deltares to carry out a pilot in the field of soil stabilization with application of innovative knowledge developed in the Netherlands. 

Below you can see a speech by Dutch Ambassador Henk van der Zwan and by Henk Ovink, Dutch water envoy.