During an interview on BNR’s Zakendoen over de Grens (Doing Business Across Borders), our CEO Gerald Baal answered Mark Beekhuis’s question regarding why the British market—and the upcoming Royal Trade Mission to Liverpool—are full of opportunities for the Dutch maritime, aviation, and defense sectors.

Key insights at a glance:

📉 London is the shop window; the factory is in the North West

London accounts for 22% of the UK’s GDP, but that is predominantly financial. The real industry is located around hubs like Liverpool and Manchester. Think of giants such as Airbus, BAE Systems (a key supplier for the F-35), the Port of Liverpool, Rolls-Royce, and top shipyards like Cammell Laird (Belaena Group)—along with their complete Tier 1, 2, and 3 supply chains.

💰 Major investments right on our doorstep

The UK is Europe’s second-largest economy, yet it accounts for only 6.5% of Dutch exports. That is a missed opportunity, especially with massive investments underway: tens of billions are being funneled into defense, maritime, and aviation. The UK is actively seeking closer connections with continental Europe once again.

👑 Opening doors that would otherwise remain closed

Supported by the Embassy in London and NBSO Manchester, TRANSFER is organizing 250 to 300 1-on-1 meetings. The presence of the King and government ministers ensures that top-tier companies are eager to sit down directly with Dutch SMEs.

🍻 Cultural tip: Mind the indirectness!

If a Brit says, “That’s an interesting idea,” they likely don’t care for it. Fortunately, people in Liverpool are more direct, no-nonsense, and focused on building personal connections (yes, including over a drink after the meeting).