Date:09/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/09/09/stories/2006090902320400.htm

Back Netherlands keen to strengthen trade ties

Our Bureau

MS KARIEN VAN GENNIP

Chennai , Sept. 8

The Netherlands is eager to strengthen trade and technological operations with India.

"We are looking at Indo-Dutch cooperation in areas like infrastructure, bio-technology, medical applications and information technology (IT)," said Ms Karien van Gennip, Minister for Foreign Trade of The Netherlands.

Speaking at Connect 2006, a two-day seminar organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry, she said Indian IT companies could look at establishing test beds in the Netherlands prior to commercial roll out in the European market.

To facilitate Indo-Dutch trade the Minister said a foreign investment agency would be set up at New Delhi to help Indian companies find partners in the Netherlands. "We have recently appointed an information technology counsellor," she said.