Dutch companies are keen to invest in India, particularly in sectors like water management, waste management, agriculture, infrastructure, smart cities, banking and pension funds, Netherlands' Prime Minister Mark Rutte said today.
"We have ample opportunities to grow but today we are particularly focused on smart cities, water management, waste management, agriculture, infrastructure, he told reporters here.
He added: "We have pension funds with 1.5 trillion euros investments and they want to find business opportunities in India."
Accompanied by two ministers and a large trade delegation comprising representatives from over a 100 Dutch companies, Rutte is currently on a two-day business visit to India.
Earlier in the day, he also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"We are going to Mumbai tomorrow and there are some very big infrastructure projects where we want to participate, also fighting the rising sea levels, so many possibilities," he said.
"I do believe that while the Indian economy is now the fastest growing economy in the world... You have overtaken China, whilst at the same time, facing various specific challenges that raise a lot of scope for Dutch companies to work here and for Indian companies to work in the Netherlands," he said.
Asked whether the 'Make in India' campaign figured in his talks with Modi, Rutt said: "Absolutely. Constantly, because the fact that the Modi government has very clearly stated its vision in terms of 'Make in India', Clean India, what they are doing to clean the Ganga river, Digital India, 100 smart cities, all these programmes".
The trade volume between India and the Netherlands has increased over the last couple of years to almost 6 billion euros.
"We are one of India's top 5 trading partners in Europe. Our trade with India has accumulated to 6 billion euros and is rising.
"At this moment, we have 180-200 Dutch companies operating in India and over 60 branches of Indian companies in the Netherlands," Rutte said.
He added that with the Modi government in power in India, Netherlands' interest in the country had "accelerated".
"The fact that he (Modi) came to power as Prime Minister, and is a rockstar all over the world, and the same time having a very clear vision on how to grow the economy means that in Netherlands, India is high on the list again.
"We were interested in India before. But let's say in the last 12 months this has accelerated because of the new government and the fact that this new government is so much focusing on these particular programmes where you can easily add value from a fresh perspective by bringing our expertise, knowledge and companies," he said.
