The network will serve as the first point of contact for Dutch companies interested in Zimbabwe.
THE Netherlands will launch a business network on Thursday to boost Dutch investment in Zimbabwe, where bilateral trade has more than doubled over the past four years to exceed US$140 million despite lingering concerns about the country’s investment climate.
According to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency, Zimbabwe exported goods worth US$68,36 million to the Netherlands last year, while imports from the European nation did not feature among Zimbabwe’s top 20 import sources, highlighting a trade relationship that remains heavily in Zimbabwe’s favour. WhatsAppnews alerts
“The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Harare is launching the Netherlands-Zimbabwe Business Network, a platform to strengthen trade and investment ties between the Netherlands and Zimbabwe,” the embassy said in a statement.
“The Netherlands-Zimbabwe Business Network will bring together Dutch and Zimbabwean companies, business membership organisations, diverse experts, civil society and policymakers.
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“It will provide market intelligence, connect investors with opportunities, support new partnerships, and strengthen engagement and advocacy on behalf of Dutch-Zim economic relations.”
The network will serve as the first point of contact for Dutch companies interested in Zimbabwe. WhatsAppnews alerts
It is expected to host quarterly networking events and provide regular updates on policy developments, business opportunities and market trends.
Ahead of the launch, Dutch ambassador to Zimbabwe Matthijs van Eeuwen said the network seeks to build on the recent momentum in bilateral trade.
“Trade between Zimbabwe and the Netherlands has more than doubled in the past four years, to surpass US$140 million in 2024,” van Eeuwen said. WhatsAppnews alerts
“Of this, US$106 million was Zimbabwe’s exports to the Netherlands, driven by horticulture, tobacco, iron and steel, and critical raw materials.”
He noted that while this growth is encouraging, the figures fall far short of the potential.
“Dutch companies are showing increasing interest in Zimbabwe, particularly in agriculture, water management, renewable energy, critical raw materials, and digital innovation.
“The potential is definitely there. However, concerns remain around policy consistency, macroeconomic stability, infrastructure, and ease of doing business,” the ambassador noted.
“These issues are negatively affecting investment decisions among often risk-averse Dutch and European companies.
“The Netherlands-Zimbabwe Business Network, by providing market information, advocacy, and catalytic support seeks to address these and get us on track for further trade growth.”
The ambassador acknowledged progress by Zimbabwe in addressing some of these concerns and said the network would also help communicate improvements in the operating environment to the Dutch business community. WhatsAppnews alerts
“The Netherlands-Zimbabwe Business Network will keep Dutch companies informed about developments in the operating environment, connect them with relevant partners and institutions, and support structured dialogue on both opportunities and challenges through regular exchanges and expert briefings,” van Eeuwen said.
“We want to build on our longstanding agricultural partnership while expanding co-operation into new areas of mutual interest, including water management, renewable energy, financial services, ICT and digital innovation, and the mining and processing of critical raw materials.”
The ambassador added that Dutch businesses operate under strict European Union regulatory and environmental, social and governance standards, making responsible, transparent and sustainable investment central to future cooperation between the two countries.-newsday
