Dutch companies keen to invest in Uttar Pradesh: Envoy

A delegation from Netherlands, led by its ambassador Alphonsus Stoelinga, today said it sees enormous potential and business-friendly environment in Uttar Pradesh and looks forward to invest in sectors such as agriculture, dairy development and innovative technologies.
"We see an enormous potential and investor-friendly environment in Uttar Pradesh. 12 Dutch companies are interested in various projects in the state and are doing initial scan on it", Senior Policy Advisor, Netherlands Embassy, Rima Yadav, who was party to the delegation, told reporters here.
She said a Dutch company is studying the prospects of preparing cycle tracks in Noida, Greater Noida, Lucknow and Agra as during his visit to Netherlands, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had shown interest in it.

"We planned to visit UP immediately after its CM's visit to the country to explore possibilities of investments here. We are going to see possibilities of investment in agriculture, innovative technology and transferring of educational skills", Stoelinga said.
He said for example with the use of Netherlands' innovative technology of LEDs in street lights and offices, 40 per cent energy could be saved.
Such technologies could be used in irrigation sector too, he said, adding that after primary study they would discuss with the state government regarding short, mid-term and long-term plans for investment.

The delegation had yesterday met CM Akhilesh Yadav and held detailed discussions on cooperation in the field of agriculture, food processing and dairy development.

The parties also discussed on signing of an MoU between Chandra Shekhar Azad Agriculture and Technology University, Kanpur for setting up centre of excellence in potato cultivation and processing with a university from Netherlands.
The Dutch envoy also envisaged interest in investing in the proposed infrastructural development projects like roads, power and expressways in the state.