My longest stint ever, from 16 Oct 1996 to 16 Oct 2011. This was a pilot project of the Netherlands Embassy in New Delhi and the second such office in the world. The work was an extension of the embassy’s commercial and economic affairs, but also assisted the other departments of Agriculture, Development Cooperation, Culture and Press.
It was the first foreign trade office in Gujarat.
In 2002, we became part of the global network managed out of The Hague, by the EVD.
In 2009 we added the task of promoting higher education to the Netherlands and also set up the Dutch Alumni Association for India.
From 2002 we produced about 20-30 market scans for Dutch companies wanting to trade, export or invest in Gujarat. On an average we supported atleast 1.5 companies that invested per year in Gujarat.
Participation in trade fairs, arranging company & factory visits, lobbying with the local government etc. were some of our tasks. Most importantly doing Holland Promotion.
The two most important projects from this period is the
- Philips Medical Systems ORET (Ontwikkelings Relevant Export Transactie) Project. A 40 company consortium (Dutch & Indian) under the leadership of PMS India with a total cost of 200 million Dutch Guilders was carried out after extremely tough and complicated negotiations. The project was the largest healthcare project carried out till date globally and had many innovative features never before included in such projects. An intensive 6-7 months were spent in 1997 by the office in securing this contract.
- Cordaid funded, Emergency & Rescue Project, becoming the hands and feet of the Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority.