By Marjolein van Herel —

During the OTC in Houston, Texas, the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (WFIA), Port of Den Helder and Economic Development Agency Noord-Holland Noord hosted a successful luncheon for a delegation of Dutch companies and potential foreign investors.

Benefits of Noord Holland Noord region

The delegation consisted of companies involved in the offshore and energy industry in the region Noord Holland Noord. The luncheon provided the delegation as well as the hosts with an excellent opportunity to present themselves to American companies and make them more aware of the many benefits the region has to offer.

Facilitation offshore industry

The central theme during the luncheon was facilitation of the industry. Welcoming the guests, host John Spee of NHN kicked off the gathering by touching upon the long standing and valued cooperation between American and Dutch companies and the support NHN and other agencies have to offer in stimulating growth and investments. His message was further reinforced by Assistant Area Director of NFIA Janet Muller, who emphasized the assistance the NFIA can provide to facilitate companies that wish to establish a branch or invest in the Netherlands.

Kees Turnhout, Services Development Manager at Port of Den Helder, then went on to explain that the Port of Den Helder considers facilitating companies in the offshore and wind industry its top priority. He mentioned the new CEO, Jacoba Bolderheij, who has a wealth of international experience and operated as commercial manager for Sohar Port & Freezone in Oman for five years before joining the Port of Den Helder. Turnhout emphasized the importance of teamwork and cooperation as one of the main factors for growth of the industry.

Investment in economic development

Last but not least Den Helder Alderman Edwin Krijns elaborated on how Den Helder, and the Noord Holland Noord region, continuously invest in the economic development of the region and facilitation of investors. He concluded by stating that, in addition to the excellent infrastructure and facilities the region has to offer, it is also about sharing knowledge and expertise. “We have a seaport, an airport and a ‘brainport’, and it is our priority to invest and facilitate companies in the energy and offshore industry.”

New alliances

Even though the speeches were all very inspiring, the main success of the luncheon lay in the many contacts that were established in the conversations at the lunch tables. The goal of forming new alliances and attracting new investors has certainly become one step closer and we look forward to welcoming companies at Noord Holland Noord.