DESTINATION europe employs environment-friendly livestock practices . For Kazakhstan , with its restricted water resources , it is relevant that , for example , in order to produce a kilo of tomatoes , a Dutch farmer needs four liters of water . The EU average is 40 liters , ten times more .
Cooperation in the field of agriculture between the Netherlands and Kazakhstan will continue to grow and intensify . In his recent annual address to the nation , President Nursultan Nazarbayev has again paid special attention to the development of the country ’ s agricultural sector . In particular , he stated that “ Smart technologies is a chance for a breakthrough in the development of the agro-industrial complex of Kazakhstan ” and that “ the agrarian policy of Kazakhstan should aim to boost labor productivity and growth in exports of processed agricultural products ”. That ’ s exactly what the Netherlands with its longstanding history of inventions and top-notch innovations in the agricultural sector can offer Kazakhstan .
Cooperation in science and technology
Considering a growing demand in Kazakhstan for innovations in various fields , including space and oil & gas , NEVASCO ( Netherlands Value Adding Services Companies ) – a consortium of Dutch companies in the field of space technologies and remote sensing was able to extend its professional network and develop an outline for future activities with relevant stakeholders in Kazakhstan , both in the public and private sectors , including operators of large oil and gas projects such as Kashagan . For example assess oil spills risks or evaluate potential damages that oil operations may have on the environment . These space applications can be also used to pinpoint watering and fertilizing of crops , to monitor glaciers and rainfall to prevent urban flooding , to monitor air quality to prevent pollution and in many other aspects to improve urban environment conditions .
A recent project called ' Holland Innovation Challenge ' is an example of bilateral cooperation in the field of science and technology . Six intercultural ( Dutch- Kazakh ) teams worked in spring 2017 on coming up with new business concepts for three Dutch companies : Delphy , Philips Lighting and Witteveen + Bos . All these Dutch companies have products and services that have been proven in the Netherlands . The teams needed to transform them to fit the Kazakhstani market . The project concerned the water , food and energy sectors . The results of these projects were announced during the opening of the Dutch National Pavilion at EXPO 2017 in Astana .
The coming years
In order to maintain and expand Dutch trade and investment it is necessary for Kazakhstan to continue reforms that enhance stability , transparency , responsibility and the rule of law . What is good for Dutch business is good for Kazakhstan , for instance independent judges and diminished corruption . The Netherlands cooperates with Kazakhstan in many fields to bring these reforms about from CSRprojects in companies to digitalizing the economy as a whole . Kazakhstan ’ s obligations under WTO and the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the EU , as well as its ambitions in its 100-Step-Plan and its wish to become an OECD-country , bring these reforms closer .
1
Greenport Holland International ( or GHI ) is an independent organisation , set up by Greenport Holland and the Dutch horticultural industry with the mission to enhance the quality of international horticulture through successful international horticultural projects .
Current state of economic relations between Kazakhstan and the Netherlands
Trade Exports from the Netherlands to Kazakhstan in 2016 – 402 million USD
Major Dutch export items to Kazakhstan : - agricultural products ( seeds , bulbs , cut flowers , etc .) - food products ( cheese , vegetables , etc .) - equipment and machinery ( oil & gas , agriculture , medical , agricultural equipment - greenhouses ) - chemicals
Imports to the Netherlands from Kazakhstan in 2016 – 145 million USD
Major Kazakh export items to the Netherlands : - crude oil and petroleum products - ferrous waste and scrap Source : UN Comtrade Database
The Netherlands is the largest foreign direct investor in Kazakhstan , accounting for more than 30 % of total foreign economic investments , with oil & gas as the main sector .
Investments from the Netherlands to Kazakhstan in 2016 – 7.913 billion USD ( 37 % of total FDI )
Dutch companies active in Kazakhstan include :
suppliers of turnkey greenhouse equipment : Dalsem , Van der Hoeven , KG Greenhouses , Bom Group ; suppliers of quality vegetable seeds : Rijk Zwaan , Enza Zaden , Bejo Zaden ; suppliers of dairy and poultry equipment : Pas Reform , Van der Ploeg ; industrial engineering : Witteveen + Bos : transport sector : Van der Wal , ECW Logistics ; banking sector : ING ; paints and chemical products : Akzo Nobel ; maritime : Wagenborg , Van Oord ; oil and gas sector : Royal Dutch Shell ; consumer electronics and medical equipment : Royal Philips and Philips Lighting .
supported by EUROBAK
21