The Netherlands and Latvia

H.E. Ambassador P.J. Langenberg

Embassy of the Netherlands in Latvia

Embassy of Kingdom of the Netherlands

• The Netherlands recognized the renewed Republic of Latvia on August 17, 1991. The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands began operating in 1996.

• Current Ambassador is H.E. Mr. Pieter Jan Langenberg. Current Deputy Head of Mission is Mrs Wendela Haringhuizen.

• Former Deputy Head of Mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Latvia Cornelis J. Groeneveld, was President of the Diplomatic Economic Club (2011-2013). He was based in Latvia from 2009 to 2013.

• Embassy areas of activity are mainly political, economic and consular in nature, to support the Dutch national interest.

Policy priorities

Support of Dutch policy areas:

1) Strengthening European Cooperation

Events held as part of the Dutch Presidency of the Council of the European Union – first six months of 2016.

Policy priorities

2) Promoting peace, security and stability • UN Security Council – For ex. the Netherlands sharing a seat with Italy on the

UN Security Council. • Military Contribution to NATO • Eastern Partnership – For ex. supporting Advanced Programme in Law and

Economics that is offered by the Riga Graduate School of Law (RGSL) in cooperation with the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other partners.

3) Promoting sustainable trade and investment • Corporate social responsibility For ex. cooperation with CSR Latvia, Dutch

experts coming to Riga to share their knowledge. • Creative industries and culture – For ex. Helga Merits (documentary), music

(RoyalConcertgebouw Orchestra (Goya Ensemble), Marcel Worms.

4) Consular assistance

Dutch Public Diplomacy in Latvia – An example

On October 15, 2014, 17 000 tulips were presented as a gift from the

Embassy of the Netherlands to the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the

European Union and planted in front of the National Library of Latvia. The

tulip bed had a special design: the thousands of red and white tulips had been planted in such a way that they represented the Latvian Presidency

logo. A red tulip had been especially created for this event and during the

ceremony on April 23 received its name - "Latvija".

Economic Diplomacy - Trade figures between Baltic/Nordics and the Netherlands (2015)

Bilateral trade of the Netherlands with the

Baltics, Nordics, BRICS, in 2015

Dutch Exports 2015

Dutch Imports 2015

€ x 1.000 x 1.000

Baltics Lithuania 823 1044 Estonia 722 276 Latvia 482 384 Total Baltics 2027 1704

Nordics Sweden 7737 6222 Finland 4328 3636 Denmark 5662 3490 Norway 3831 12072

Total Nordics 21558 25420

Total Nordics-Baltics 23585 27124

BRICs China 8570 3435 Russia 4308 13549 Brazil 2930 4090 India 1937 2991

Total BRICs 17745 24065

Main economic sectors – Baltics and the Netherlands

Baltic exports to the Netherlands

• Wood and wood articles

• Agrifood

• Metalworking

Baltic imports from the Netherlands

• Machinery, electrical equipment

• Food products

• Chemical products

Economic Relations – Trade and Investment statistics –the Netherlands and Latvia

• The Netherlands is the 9th largest trading partner with Latvia – 990.3 million EURO goods and services turnover.

• In 2015, the Netherlands was Latvia’s 11th largest export partner and 7th largest import partner. The Netherlands has a positive trade balance with Latvia.

• Latvian exports of goods to the Netherlands in 2015 grew by 21% compared to 2014, while imports from the Netherlands grew by 1% compared to the previous year. The value of the total of exports was 259,5 million EUR in 2015 and the value of imports was 465,1 million EUR.

• There are a total of 424 companies registered in Latvia with Dutch capital, with a total investment amount of 725,1 million EUR. This ranks the Netherlands third among foreign direct investors in Latvia.

Foreign Direct Investment in Latvia – Netherlands in 3rd place – 7.23% of total FDI

Trade dynamics – the Netherlands and Latvia – Exports and Imports

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Exports LV to NL 87,2 110,1 121,6 147,9 131,8 150,6 194,8 269,0 221,9 215,2 259,5

Imports NL to LV 243,7 293,3 356,6 389,5 271,0 333,0 395,1 424,5 463,2 460,7 465,1

0,0

50,0

100,0

150,0

200,0

250,0

300,0

350,0

400,0

450,0

500,0

Mil.

EU

R

Exports – Latvia to the Netherlands by type of goods (2015)

Wood and wood products 31%

Plant products 16% Animals and livestock

14%

Machines and electrical equipment

11%

Mineral products 6%

Chemical products 4%

Metals and metal products 4%

Various manufacturing goods

4%

Plastic and Rubber goods 3%

Other 7%

Source: Central statistical bureau of Latvia

Imports – the Netherlands to Latvia by type of goods (2015)

Machinery and electrical equipment

30%

Plant products 16%

Chemical products 12%

Food products 10%

Plastic and rubber goods 6%

Transport vehicles 5%

Optical equipment 4%

Textiles and clothing 4%

Metals and metal goods 3%

Other 10%

Source: Central statistical bureau of Latvia

Dutch Economy - Trends and developments

• Steady Economic Growth (0.6% GDP (2016), 0.2% inflation, 5.8% unemployment)

• Investments, exports of goods and consumption growing

• Lowest number of bankruptcies in 8 years

• Manufacturers and consumers positive

Priority economic sectors of the Dutch Embassies in the Baltic States

• Energy (incl. renewable energy, biomass, energy efficiency)

• Water resource management (incl. flood management, erosion, water quality/pollution, wastewater treatment, research/monitoring/training) Ex of Dutch involvement: Wetsus, a Dutch research organisation signed a memorandum of cooperation with Riga Technical University in 2015 to train LV researchers in Wetsus’ Phd program

• Creative Industries (includes ICT/start-ups, design, architecture, etc) Ex. Digital Freedom Festival, Dutch Design Days in Latvia

• Transport and logistics

• And also supported:

• Smart and Sustainable Cities – Urban Agenda for the EU (Amsterdam Pact) Ex. Embassy seminar on «Smart Mobility. Smart Cities. Smarter cycling» in December 2016.

Investment Success Stories - Brabantia

Dutch company BRABANTIA is Europe’s leading supplier of innovative household

products, with exports to more than 80 countries. In 2008, the company initially

opened a production plant in Latvia, renovating a brownfield site and in turn extending it. By 2011, it completed the transfer of its production of laundry

dryers and ironing boards to Latvia, employing approximately 75 people. The

main reasons for selecting Latvia included its strong tradition in metalworking,

the country's EU membership and Euro-pegged currency, and a business-friendly

environment.

Investment Success Stories – Samskip Vandieren

SAMSKIP VANDIEREN is a global logistics company offering transport and related

services by land, sea, rail and air with a particular focus on cost efficient,

sustainable and environmentally friendly transport. With an annual turnover of Euro 530 million, Samskip is now one of the largest transport companies in

Europe with offices in 24 countries in Europe, North and South America, Asia

and Australia employing 1,300 people around the world.

Samskip has been operating in Latvia since 1997 and employs over 250 people. Using own equipment ranging from vessels, trucks and containers, Samskip

offers a solution for every requirement: a door-to-door service integrating

collection, shipment and delivery into a seamless transport solution, quay-to-

quay and feeder services. The containers range in size from 20ft to 45ft pallet-

wide high cube units, including reefers, curtainsiders and flat racks.

Future Events – Digital Freedom Festival

• The Embassy is participating at the Digital Freedom Festival

• A MEETING PLACE TO CELEBRATE DIGITAL CULTURE AND TO DEBATE ON THE BENEFITS OF DIGITAL REVOLUTION: POLICY, STARTUPS, LIFESTYLE (incl. Smart Cities).

• 27–29 NOVEMBER 2016 | RIGA

• http://www.digitalfreedomfestival.com/event

• Three Dutch speakers confirmed: Mike Reiner – main speaker on Artificial Intelligence, Christophe Auer-Welsback , masterclass leader on Customer Personal marketing approach and Juri van Geest, speaker on Smart Cities

Future Events – Holland Cafe at Digital Freedom Festival

• The Embassy is participating at the Digital Freedom Festival November 27-29, 2016 with the concept of the Holland Cafe (a meeting place for Dutch companies and start-ups) and a trade delegation.

Holland Baltic Business (facebook page)

Website: www.hollandbalticbusiness

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BalticBusiness/

Nordic Baltic Network (linkedin page)

Website: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7433053

Balticum – Baltic Network of Dutch Embassies

There is a Baltic Network of Dutch Embassies in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania:

ESTONIA LATVIA LITHUANIA

Rahukohtu 4-1 Torna iela 4-1A T.Kosciuskos g.36

10130 Tallinn Riga, LV-1050 01100 Vilnius

T: +372 6805500 T: +371 67326147 T. +370 5210 4620 E: tal@minbuza.nl E: rig@minbuza.nl E: vil@minbuza.nl

I: http://estland.nlambassade.org I: http://letland.nlambassade.org I: http://lithuania.nlembassy.org

The Senior Economic Officer in Latvia is Ms Indra Freiberga, in Estonia Ms Mari Stamberg and in

Lithuania Ms Milda Savickaite.

Embassy services (Trade and Investment)

• Answering trade queries.

• Offering customised information: e.g. information about a specific Estonian, Latvian or Lithuanian market sector, an overview of relevant services and financing opportunities or a country comparison that enables the entrepreneur to choose a particular export market.

• Identifying promising business opportunities for Dutch companies.

• Providing assistance to the organisation of trade missions and matchmaking events.

• Assisting and supporting Dutch companies already operating in Latvia.

• Presentations to incoming Dutch groups (companies, students, etc)

• Cooperation with local trade organisations – Netherlands Latvian Chamber of Commerce (ww.nlcc.lv), Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, etc.

Thank you for your attention!